When you need immediate medical attention, CalvertHealth’s Emergency Department (ED) is ready to care for you.

The emergency department treats patients of all ages and provides 24/7/365 care for serious life or limb threatening injuries and illnesses.

Our highly skilled care team includes emergency medicine physicians and advanced practice providers such as physician assistants and certified registered nurse practitioners. The care team is rounded out with registered nurses, patient care technicians, case managers and emergency psychiatric social workers.

We have recently implemented a new care model that assigns patients to either a bed or a chair, depending on the level of care needed.

✔ Reserves ED beds for patients who require the highest level of care
✔ Helps keep the department moving efficiently, reducing wait times for everyone
✔ Allows providers to see and treat patients sooner
✔ Decreases bottlenecks during times of high patient volume
✔ Reduces the number of patients who leave without being seen
✔ Improves overall patient satisfaction and experience

What to Expect When You Visit the Emergency Department

Step 1: Arrival (Walk-in or EMS)

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When you arrive, you’ll sign in at registration and then take a seat in the waiting area. If you arrive by ambulance, a quick assessment will be done so our team can determine the appropriate level of care based on the severity of your illness or injury.

Step 2: Triage

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A member of our care team will evaluate your condition through a process called triage. This helps determine which patients need to be seen first.

Patients with life-threatening conditions receive top priority. During this stage, your care team may order blood tests, medical imaging or other studies to help your provider diagnose your condition quickly and accurately.

Once your evaluation is complete, you’ll wait for your bed or chair assignment.

Step 3: Patient Care Assignments

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After triage, you’ll be assigned to a bed or chair in the appropriate care area based on your needs.

Not every patient requires a traditional bed. Patients who are stable and have less severe conditions may be cared for in designated chair or results-waiting areas, helping us keep beds available for those who need them most.

Step 4: Your Care

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Once your treatment begins, the length of your stay in the Emergency Department will depend on your condition and how busy the department is at the time.

Your provider or nurse may order additional tests such as blood work, X-rays or CT scans, which can take one to four hours to process. In some cases, your provider may order further testing after reviewing initial results.

Your care team will:

Explain the tests and treatments being performed
Keep you updated on your care plan
Answer your questions
Monitor any changes in your condition

If imaging tests such as CT scans or X-rays are performed, a radiologist will review the results and provide input on your treatment.

Step 5: Your Next Steps

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If you need to be admitted to the hospital:
Our staff will work to identify an available room and ensure it’s cleaned and ready for you. The wait time depends on hospital capacity (the number of patients currently admitted).

If you need to be transferred:
If your condition requires transfer to another facility, your care team will contact that facility to confirm availability and coordinate transportation. This process can take time, but your care will continue while arrangements are made. For critical patients, transfers occur more quickly.

If you are ready to be discharged home:
Your ED provider will review your exam and test results with you. If some lab results are still pending, you may be discharged without a final diagnosis, but your provider will explain next steps and arrange any needed follow-up care—often with your primary care provider or a specialist. Before you leave, you’ll receive instructions for home care and any prescriptions needed. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions if anything is unclear.

When to Visit the ED: Right Care. Right Time. Right Place.

CalvertHealth wants to help you choose the appropriate care setting so your care won’t be delayed and you can receive the best care possible. The CalvertHealth Emergency Department will see every patient who turns to us for care, but patients are prioritized according to their condition. Remember, if you are experiencing a true emergency, you should always call 911 as Emergency Medical Services can begin providing care while en route.

Services Offered

Emergency Pediatric Care

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Emergency Mental Health Care

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Emergency Care for Assault Survivors

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Visitor Information

Our visitor restrictions help keep keeps patients, visitors and care team members safe. Please click the button below to see our updated visitor policy.

Visitor Policy

Patient Advocate

It is our goal to ensure you always receive safe, prompt care at the CalvertHealth Emergency Department. Should you wish to speak to a staff member about your experience, you can contact the patient advocate’s office by calling 410.535.8466.

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Overview
What to Expect When You Visit the ED
When to Visit the ED
Services Offered
Visitor Information
Patient Advocate

PRINCE FREDERICK
CalvertHealth Medical Center
100 Hospital Road,
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Phone: 410.535.4000
Phone: 1.888.906.8773

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