LOCATED IN YOUR COMMUNITY, FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Southern Maryland Hospital is proud of its newly renovated 35 bed Emergency Department. Staffed with board certified physicians, experienced physician assistants, emergency nurses and technicians, the department is always open.
Regardless of your social or financial status our department will deliver compassionate care to all who seek our medical attention. With access to surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, internal medicine, OB/GYN and a host of other sub-specialties, we are ready for the acutely ill to the minor injury.
The emergency department is proud to offer some special services to the public. Our stroke team is setting record times in rapid evaluation and intervention as is our cardiac catheterization team. Both services allow a rapid, multidisciplinary approach to the emergent medical illness and continue to succeed in changing the lives of our community members every day.
For less emergent problems our emergency department has a FAST TRACK for minor illnesses and injuries composed of 4 private and semi-private rooms. We have recently expanded the 'fast track' service from 9am until 2am daily to further meets the demands of our growing community.
During times when volumes are high, patients may be triaged. Triage, meaning to 'sort out', is a process of data collection conducted by specially trained nurses to prioritize patients' illnesses. We are currently in the process of implementing a new 5 level triage system that will decrease any time a patient may have to wait to be seen and provide "standing orders" to allow nurses to medicate patients for pain, fever, and even order routine tests prior to placement in a room thus minimizing waiting times.
It is our goal to deliver excellent care to everyone who visits us.
If you need urgent or emergent care, remember Southern Maryland Hospital Center.
Feedback is the only way of shaping our department to meet your needs. If you or a loved one visits, please take the time and fill out a survey and share your experiences with us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Emergency departments are required by law to treat patients according to a “triage” or priority system that ensures the sickest and most severely injured are seen first. Some patients must be seen ahead of others, including those transported directly from ambulances to treatment rooms. Waiting is sometimes unavoidable.
The triage nurse on duty will take the patient’s vital signs, history and complaint. In life-threatening emergencies, patients are always treated immediately; those who are in stable condition will be asked to register and wait for an available treatment room, and to complete medical record, consent and insurance forms.
Some patients with minor illnesses or injuries unlikely to require prolonged testing or treatment are sent directly to Fast Track areas. This helps to prevent long waits behind more serious patients.
Emergency Department patients are usually required to undress and put on a hospital gown, asked again to describe their reason for coming to the ED, and repeat important details of their medical histories. Accurate and complete information allows for faster and more appropriate treatment.
Please note: ED visits are treated confidentially; however, some conditions are required by law to be reported to certain state agencies. If so, this will be explained to patients and family members.
Diagnostic tests can take time, but they are essential to proper diagnosis and treatment. The length of time spent in the Emergency Department will depend on the severity of the injury or illness, the diagnostic tests ordered, and the complexity of treatment.
Otherwise, in cases where results for tests might take longer to obtain, patients and physicians will be notified by phone.
Family members can be important for the comfort and well-being of patients, especially children. They can also help with communication between patients and ED staff, maximize privacy and assure effective treatment.
Children or patients with special needs may be allowed full-time visitation. Please designate one person to communicate with the ED staff, to direct questions to the patient’s nurse or triage nurse, and to keep conversations brief so that we may provide faster care to everyone.
ED visitors are asked to follow the Four “R’s”
Receive visitor permission (one at a time, per patient)
Respect every patient’s privacy
Remain at the patient’s bedside
Return to the waiting area during examinations and procedures.
Emergency treatment is not a substitute or replacement for physician care. Before discharge from the ED, patients must be stable and medically cleared. Detailed instructions will be given regarding activities, follow-up care or prescriptions. No medications are dispensed from the Emergency Department.
Payment for Emergency services is generally billed to the patient’s insurance company or HMO. For those without insurance, payment in full is expected at the time of service. Patients are responsible for any portion of their bill not covered by insurance. In addition to a bill from Southern Maryland Hospital Center’s Emergency Department, patients will receive separate bills for doctor’s services and diagnostic tests.
