Home Information Departments Resources Jobs Directories Site Map

Emergency Services

Most family members are anxious and worried when they bring their family to the emergency room. It is hard to imagine a more vulnerable time than when a loved one is ill or injured. We hope to make this difficult time easier for you today by telling you about our Emergency Department and our values, priorities and routines. OUR VALUES We have chosen our nurses and doctors carefully for their skills and their kindness. These are our two values above all others. We want your family to receive care today that is both exert and compassionate. OUR DOCTORS AND NURSES We are proud of our facility. Through this facility, we have nurses and physicians that are highly respected and qualified to care for your family member. There is a nurse and physician available in our Department 24 hours a day, providing supervision and direct patient care.

WAITING TIME
Good medical care takes time. We hope you will understand that there are times when the Emergency Department is very busy, either with many ill patients, critically ill or trauma patients. We try to staff accordingly for these times, but the Emergency Department is simply unpredictable. We hope you will be patient with us.

YOUR SATISFACTION
We want you to be satisfied with the care your family receives today. If you have any requests, concerns or questions, please let us know as they arise by telling a physician, nurse or EMT. If you are not satisfied, please ask to speak to the "Charge nurse" or the attending physician, the two individuals with overall responsibility for the functioning of the emergency room.

STEP-BY-STEP
The procedures of a busy emergency department can be confusing. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how our Emergency Department works. Depending upon the type of care your family needs, you may or may not follow all of these steps.

THE STARTING POINT
Every patient seen in the Emergency Department begins with an evaluation by a nurse, through a process we call "triage." The nurse will ask you to describe briefly your family illness or injury. She/he then will examine the patient to determine which division of the Emergency Department will see the patient.

REGISTRATION
After seeing the triage nurse, you will register at the outpatient admissions desk.

DOCTOR'S EXAMINATION
After you have registered at the admissions desk, you will be directed either back to the main area of the Emergency Department or a waiting area. You will be shown to an exam room, where your family member will be examined and treated by a doctor, nurse or EMT in order of emergent priority only.

X-RAYS
If your family member needs to have X-rays taken, the patient will be taken to the x-ray department by cart, wheelchair or walk. The normal wait for X-rays is 20 to 60 minutes, but varies based on the type of X-ray and on how busy the department is.

LABORATORY
If your family member needs lab work done, the nurse, EMT or lab technician will take the necessary blood and/or urine sample and send it to the lab. The wait for lab work is usually 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of test and on how busy the lab is.

PHARMACY
The hospital pharmacy is licensed for inhospital patients only. In the case of an emergency after hours, the physician can dispense a 24 hour supply. Local pharmacies are also available.

ADMISSION
If you family needs to stay in the hospital overnight, we will discuss the details of this recommendation with you. Your family will be transferred to a patient room in the hospital or if needed transferred to a facility for specialty care.

BILLING
You will receive one bill from the hospital for hospital and nursing charges and one bill from the physician who saw your family or supervised the visit. Please provided the hospital with information about your insurance directly. If you have any questions about your hospital bill, please call 970-565-0366. If you need financial assistance with your hospital bill, a financial counselor is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist you, or you can call 970-565-0368.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Please be certain that you understand the instructions and advise that our doctors and nurses have given you for the care of your family member, including: … Your family members diagnosis (the type of illness or injury that your child has). … Your family members treatment, including medicines and how much should be given and when, … What changes in your family members condition should prompt you to call your members physician or the Emergency Department.

THANK YOU
We continually strive to improve our service. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of caring for you family. The Southwest Health Net Hospital accepts patients regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, national or ethnic origin.

Site Search

Legal Notices | Contact List | Webmaster

©2007 Southwest Memorial Hospital
All Rights Reserved
1311 N. Mildred Rd. • Cortez, Co, 81321
Main Hospital: 970-565-6666 • Emergency Room: 970-564-2025