From minor illnesses to life threatening conditions, the Emergency Care Center at St. John's Hospital is prepared to care for you. We staff physicians, nurses and other professionals who are specially trained in emergency medicine. Our expert medical team cares for more than 39,000 patients every year. St. John's is a Level III trauma center.

When you arrive

When you arrive, a nurse will check your vital signs, evaluate your condition and ask about your health history. This process is called "triage" and means "to sort by priority." Triage ensures that you will be attended to according to medical need and urgency.

While waiting to be seen, Emergency Care Center patients are asked not to eat or drink anything without first consulting with a nurse.

Our waiting areas are designed so you and other patients are visible to staff and can be easily monitored. However, if your condition significantly changes, please let our staff know immediately.

Will I need to wait long to be seen?

While we work hard to get you seen as quickly as possible, there may be delays for various reasons, including:

• Seriously ill patients must be treated first.
• More patients mean more wait time for everyone.
• Your condition may require specific ER equipment or a certain exam room. Lab tests and x-rays may be ordered, which can result in a delay.
• Sometimes you're waiting because we're waiting. It takes time to process lab tests and x-rays. It may also be necessary for us to contact your primary care doctor or a specialist to arrange for further care for you.

Registration

All patients must go through a registration process, which can be done at any time after your health needs have been evaluated. Sometimes it saves time to have a family member register on your behalf.

Visitors

Family or friends may be asked to wait while you get settled in the treatment room. Once settled, friends and family may stay with you or wait in the lobby. Visitors may be asked to return to the waiting room due to your condition or while a physician examines you.

We ask that all visitors respect the privacy of our other patients and be as quiet as possible. Food and beverages are not allowed in the treatment areas.

Foreign and sign language interpreters
Interpreters are available upon request. While an interpreter is being arranged, family members may be asked to assist for patient evaluation and immediate care needs.

What if I want to leave?

If you were concerned enough to come to our emergency room, you need to be seen. Your health is important to us, so even if you feel better, we want you to stay and be seen by a doctor so we can make sure your medical needs are met.

If you are admitted to the hospital

Our staff will contact your personal doctor or transfer your continued medical care to one of our doctors if you are admitted to the hospital.

After your emergency visit

Staff will review your discharge instructions with you and provide a written copy of instructions before you leave. Please feel free to ask questions or get clarification if you don't understand the instructions. You may also receive a prescription for medications to be taken at home. You will be responsible for arranging a follow-up appointment with your primary care doctor or the doctor recommended by our staff.

Patient care representative

If you have questions, comments or concerns about patient care issues at St. John's, please contact a patient care representative at 651-326-7777. All information shared with the patient representative is confidential.

About your bill

Please check your policy or call your health plan for information about your coverage. If you have questions about your bill, contact our patient billing department at 651-232-1100.