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Environment > Emergency Department
Our Emergency Department, which is designated as a Level III Trauma Center, features 20 treatment rooms in three
distinct areas: critical care (including two cardiac and
two trauma beds), intermediate care and fast track. Upon arriving at the Emergency Department, patients are assessed in
a triage area and then directed to the appropriate treatment
area.
We provide 24-hour physician coverage with additional
physician coverage from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. each day. We see
approximately 28,000 patients annually.
Patient populations: Many of the patients we serve
are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, such as
a heart attack or trauma. Individuals also come to us with
minor medical problems or when they can't get an appointment
with their regular physician. We also provide emergency
psychiatric care.
Number of patients seen daily: 80
Average length of patient stay: 2 hours
Work environment: Fast-paced atmosphere, often
involving social services and local police.
Skill mix: Our RNs are supported by a 24-hour
clerk and an ED tech. One physician is on duty 24 hours
a day, seven days a week, with a second physician on
duty from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m each day.
Work shift: Most nurses work a 12-hour shift.
We accommodate school schedules.
Other information about the unit: We require our RNs to be certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support/Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course and Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum within one year of employment with us. We strongly encourage our nurses
to sit for the CEN exam. Because we have an extremely
low turnover rate among our nursing staff, there is stiff
competition for our vacant positions.
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