Emergency Room Information
Emergencies Happen. We Get It. That’s Why our Emergency Department Works Fast to Get you Back Into the Arms of your Loved Ones.
What to expect at West Jefferson’s Emergency Room:
We provide care for serious medical emergencies, as well as for minor injuries and illnesses for the entire family.
Children's Hospital of New Orleans has a Pediatric Emergency Department located inside West Jefferson Medical Center, a few steps away from the main West Jefferson Emergency Department.
If you have questions about your care or you are in pain, please ask one of our medical professionals for assistance. We are dedicated to making your stay as comfortable and efficient as possible.
What to bring to the emergency room:
We understand that most visits to the emergency department aren't planned in advance.
However, if you are able, it is helpful to bring the following with you:
- Photo ID
- Health insurance information (card)
- List of prescription medications and dosages
- List of medications to which you are allergic
- List of questions you and your family may have
- Recent test results related to your condition
- Contact information for your regular medical providers
Arrival & parking
As you approach West Jefferson Medical Center, you will see signs that say EMERGENCY in red and white directing you to the Emergency Room.
Please note that the entrance to the Emergency Room is located to the left of the main entrance to the hospital.
You may leave your car for a limited time in the emergency drop off parking location. FREE parking is available 24 hours a day/ seven days a week in the hospital’s main parking lot across from the main entrance of West Jefferson.
Inside the waiting room
Patients who visit the emergency department undergo a process of initial evaluation known as "triage." This means that each patient is evaluated by a nurse and/or doctor to determine the level of medical emergency they are experiencing. This is necessary to rapidly identify the sickest patients and provide them with prompt care. It also helps us keep every patient's wait time as short as possible, while providing the appropriate level of care to all patients.
Our comfortable waiting room is equipped with free Wi-fi and televisions.
Inside the ER
West Jefferson’s Emergency Room’s attending doctors are board-certified in Emergency Medicine. Emergency Medicine doctors are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of all manner of illnesses and injuries.
A nurse will be involved in all aspects of your care. Other team members may include lab technicians, phlebotomist, respiratory therapists, social workers and other hospital staff. We work as a team because this model of care helps us to provide patients the best possible treatment.
Treatment
Each team member will introduce themselves and explain their role in your care.
Your doctor(s) will meet with you to conduct an exam and discuss your symptoms, including your level of pain.
Any treatments or required tests will be discussed with you. If necessary, your nurse(s) will:
- Administer medications
- Draw blood for lab tests
- Collect urine
- Insert an intravenous (IV) catheter
Please tell your care provider if you are in pain so that we may assist you.
We encourage you to ask questions about your care.
Tests
If tests are required, we have the resources to conduct almost all of these onsite. Please plan on waiting for your results.
The following time frames are provided as estimates only:
- Most blood-based lab tests require approximately 60-90 minutes for results reporting
- X-rays, ultrasound exams, and computed tomography (CT) scan studies vary from 15 minutes to several hours. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or special radiology studies may require several hours.
- Urine collection and analysis is typically completed within half an hour
Discharge
When your doctor determines that you are ready to be discharged from the Emergency Department, you will meet with your nurse to review your diagnosis, discuss any prescribed medications and follow-up care instructions. You will be given paperwork about your follow-up care that should be kept for reference.
Prescriptions can be faxed or electronically provided to your pharmacy so that medications are ready for pick-up when you arrive at the pharmacy. Some medications require a special prescription form, which will be handed to you by the nurse. During hours when most pharmacies are closed, we will give you the first dose(s) of medication in the Emergency Department, so you don't have to locate a 24 hour pharmacy in the middle of the night.
We also have an outpatient Walgreens pharmacy available on campus for our patients. It is located in the Physicians’ Office Building and is open Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm. Please tell your care providers if you wish to use this pharmacy. Your case manager can assist you with other needs you may have in preparing to return home after your Emergency Department visit.
Proper follow-up care is very important. We will send information to your primary care doctor about your visit. If a physician referral is needed, we will provide you with a list of physicians to choose from.
After your discharge
If your symptoms worsen or do not improve, return to West Jefferson’s Emergency Room or contact your primary care doctor.
Remember to take all medications as prescribed.
