Question #1: Why do I have to wait? I saw a patient that came into the emergency go in for treatment first. He didn't look sicker than me.

Answer: Patients with the most serious illness, as assessed by the triage nurse, need to be treated first. The emergency is not run on a first-come, first-serve basis. So, there may be times when a patient who arrives after you is seen before you.

Question #2: Why do I see the triage nurse first?

Answer: The triage nurse must see you first to assess the severity of your illness and to decide which area of the Emergency Patient Service Unit will best meet your needs. To do this, the triage nurse will ask you about your current condition, you past medical history and any other information important to your care.

Question #3: I was really ill when I came in. Why did I have to give the clerk some information right away?

Answer: We need to get correct information from you immediately so we can locate any past records with information that could affect your current care. This information includes your: name and address, health card number, family doctor, and next of kin.

Question #4: Who will see me in Emergency?

Answer: A nurse will ask you more questions to prepare a chart that records the details of your visit. The nurse will also take your vital signs, such as temperature and blood pressure. A doctor will see you next. Emergency doctors are specially trained to work with emergency patience and their families.

Question #5: Why was the doctor called away during my examination?

Answer: If a patient more seriously ill than you arrives during your visit, staff may be called away to treat that person. The Emergency staff will return to care for you as soon as possible. You won't be forgotten.

Question #6: I had to have an X-ray and other tests done and waited another hour. How come?

Answer: Tests such as blood and urine analysis or X-rays may be ordered to provide more information for an accurate diagnosis. Each test involves numerous steps and may lead to a longer waiting time.

Question #7: A second doctor was called in to see me, but it took a while. Why couldn't I deal with the first doctor who saw me?

Answer: The emergency doctor who first treated you decided that your illness required the expertise of a specialist. That specialist may have been involved with another patient, may have been out of the hospital or may have been in surgery. Your waiting time may vary from one to several hours. The referral to the specialist is necessary for you to receive the most appropriate care, so it's important for you to wait.

Question #8: I was admitted to the hospital, but waited for hours in Emergency. Why didn't I get a bed right away?

Answer: If you are admitted to the hospital for further care, you'll be assigned to the appropriate patient care unit for the type of care you need. However, there may not be a bed available on that unit immediately and you may be assigned to another unit temporarily. Or you may have to wait in Emergency unit until a bed is available. Someone will speak to you about the type of insurance you have. We will try to provide you with your choice of a private or semi-private room, where possible.

Question #9: I wanted to visit my relative in the Emergency, but I didn't know how to find my relative.

Answer: The triage nurse is your contact with the health care team. He/she will check with the nurses caring for your relative and will give you directions to find your relative. We value the involvement of families and friends, however, there may be times when you're asked to leave because of concerns about confidentiality, privacy or other medical emergencies.

Question #10: All the staff seem so busy. What if I have a question about my care?

Answer: We strongly encourage you to be an active participant in your care or in the care of your family member. Don't hesitate to ask members of your health care team if you do not understand what is happening during your visit to the Emergency.

Question #11: How busy is Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Emergency Patient Service Unit?

Answer: Over the course of a year, TBRHSC's Emergency will see approximately 90,000 patients. TBRHSC is also the site of the regional trauma unit. A trauma patient is someone with severe injuries to more that one body system. This may be the result of a traffic accident or a shooting. The unit treats about 600 patients a year.

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