Emergency Department
When you need immediate medical attention, CalvertHealth’s Emergency Department is ready to care for you. We use a “direct-to-bed” approach that allows patients to be triaged in an ED bed without waiting in the triage area out front. The nurse, doctor, medical technician and registrar see the patient together. This is more efficient and avoids separate steps after a patient arrives. In this way, the physician is able to see patients soon after arrival.
When beds are not immediately available, we use a “rapid medical evaluation” process, which allows a provider to see patients just after triage, without having to wait for an available room in the main ED. Tests can be ordered and treatment given more quickly, and a patient’s time in the department is reduced. Additionally, our nurses use physician-approved protocols to expedite lab work and radiological studies, which also decrease the time patients would otherwise stay. A new treatment zone was opened to provide more space for patients, as well.
Timesaving technology also plays a major role in speeding care. A computerized tracking system keeps tabs on what is being done for each patient, minute-by-minute. Digital radiography eliminates X-ray film and allows physicians to see images instantly and start treatment. Registration is completed at the patient’s bedside. If someone does not have insurance, a social worker provides information about community resources and links them with a medical home for follow-up care.
On the inpatient side, the hospital medical staff makes every effort to discharge inpatients earlier in the day. This allows admitted patients in the Emergency Department to go upstairs more quickly. This also opens more beds for arriving patients. This has all been a team effort as we strive to enhance the patient care experience. Our goal is to provide timely, safe and high quality care for our patients.
Emergency services also include confidential psychiatric evaluations and referrals 24 hours a day. Specially trained nurses are available to provide individual attention to victims of sexual assault. The S.A.F.E. staff works closely with county agencies to provide accurate information about local resources for counseling and court preparation.
If you need medical attention and it is not an emergency, please call one of our Urgent Care Centers for an appointment. You can call as early as 10 a.m. to pre-register.
CalvertHealth is excited to partner with Patriot Urgent Care to bring additional services and conveniences to our Dunkirk, Prince Frederick and Solomons Urgent Care locations.
Through this partnership you will be able to:
- Take advantage of expanded hours
- Prince Frederick, Solomons and Dunkirk: 8 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days per week
- Check-in online to reserve your space before arrival
- Have your medical records transferred electronically to your doctor.
Locations
Know Your Medical History
When you arrive at the ED or Urgent Care, it helps to know your medical history.
Prepare this in advance and keep it handy:
- Any hospitalizations and dates
- Any surgeries and dates
- List of immunizations and dates
- Any allergies (food, medicine, etc.)
- Any injuries/conditions/ illnesses
- List of medications/ supplements
- Names and phone numbers of your other healthcare providers
