Our Emergency Department (ED) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is staffed with emergency medical physicians and nursing specialists at all times. The entire ED staff is committed to providing you and your family with the highest quality of care in a private, comfortable setting. All patients are treated regardless of payment and insurance arrangements.
For more information, please contact the Emergency Department at 404-712-7100
Emergency Department Triage
Triage is the extremely important process of quickly assessing each patient's needs and medical priority. During triage a nurse will ask you the following:
- The reason for your visit
- The medications you are currently taking
- Any allergies you may have to medications
- Your medical history
Additionally, the nurse will assess your vital signs, including your blood pressure, pulse, respiration and temperature. After evaluation by the triage nurse, you may be brought into the treatment area immediately, or you may be directed to the waiting area. Patients receive medical attention according to the perceived severity of their symptoms, illness or injury. Therefore, patients are evaluated in the order of medical necessity, rather than order of arrival. This includes patients transported to the ED by ambulance.
Although certain patients may not appear critically ill, their history, assessment and vital signs alert ED staff of the need for immediate attention. All patients should refrain from eating and drinking prior to seeing the physician due to the requirement of certain tests and procedures that may be necessary to perform during your evaluation.
Emergency Department Registration
If the severity of your condition does not permit the registration process, you will be brought directly to the treatment area and either a family member may provide the information or a member of the registration staff will obtain this information at bedside once your condition permits.
Privacy and Confidentiality
The hospital respects the privacy and confidentiality of patients, and will only use or disclose patient information to the extent necessary for purposes of treatment, payment, hospital operations, and as authorized by the patient, pursuant to a court order, or as otherwise permitted or required by law.
Furthermore, upon registration, you will be provided with the Patient's Bill of Rights and the Hospital's Notice of Privacy Practices, which describes how the hospital will protect the privacy of your personal medical information.
Insurance, Billing and Financial Information
During the registration process you will be asked to provide your insurance card(s) and photo identification card that includes your home address.
Copies are maintained to ensure the accuracy of the information entered into the computer system. Please note that all emergency services are billed separately and you may receive two or more individual billing statements for the services rendered.
The ED staff is prohibited from discussing financial information or answering questions relative to insurance coverage with patients who are receiving emergency care. If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your insurance coverage, please contact your insurance company directly at your earliest convenience.