Waiting Area and Treatment Spaces
Waiting Area
In order to provide efficient, quality treatment to all patients, the waiting area at the Emergency Department (ED) is utilized for patients waiting on radiology, laboratory testing and results. To treat patients efficiently, a radiology technician will come to the area of the ED in which you are located, bring you to the radiology suite, then guide you to the internal or main waiting room after testing. During this time, a Patient Access representative will complete your registration. One (1) visitor may wait with you, however, when the waiting room is at capacity, we ask visitors to wait in the main lobby of the hospital to allow space for ED patients.
Treatment Spaces
Once in a treatment space and before being evaluated by a provider, an ED nurse assigned to that area will assess you and decide if any additional treatments need to be completed. Depending on your care requirements, we will determine an approximate wait time.
Often, your wait time is dependent upon and can be impacted by the emergent needs of others in the ED. While ED capacity can be unpredictable, we thank you for your grace, patience and understanding.
Once you have been evaluated by a provider, the decision will be made to either discharge or admit you. If you are admitted, you will be admitted for observation or to inpatient status. Your type of admission is dependent on your diagnosis and plan of care. As always, be sure to connect with your primary care provider anytime you have been seen and treated in any ED.
Wait Times
Wait times can be extended and prolonged in the Emergency Department (ED). This can be related to high patient volumes, testing procedures, test processing and results. The ED staff aim to start your treatment, promptly after your arrival. To help make your treatment safer and more efficient, patients may have testing performed while still waiting in the waiting room. Please know we will not lose sight of you.
Our goal at Chester County Hospital is to have you evaluated and assessed by a provider soon after arrival. However, when there are extended wait times, we initiate lab work and radiology testing. With the results readily accessible, the provider is able to make a quicker diagnosis. This process may seem disorganized with the patient being moved to different areas of the department and then returned to the waiting area; however, we want to assure you that we are working to efficiently care for you while you are waiting.
Some common reasons for delays include:
In the Waiting Area
- A high number of patients arrive.
- Seriously ill patients arrive.
In the Treatment Spaces
- The care team needs to become familiar with your medical history.
- The care team is trying to get in touch with your primary care physician.
- The care team is waiting for the results of blood tests, X-rays, or specialized procedures.
- If your condition changes, notify the triage nurse immediately.
Leaving Without Being Seen
If you have been waiting a long time, you may feel tempted to leave the ED before you receive a medical screening examination by a physician or advanced care provider. Please speak with a healthcare provider first, so that we can fully inform you of any possible complications you may face. Leaving the ED without being screened is a serious, perhaps life-threatening, decision.
Admission and Discharge
If your doctor determines that you need to stay in the hospital, a bed will be requested on your behalf. The length of time that you will spend in the emergency department depends on the availability of hospital beds. Once a bed is ready, your nurse will communicate with your inpatient nurse and will arrange transportation to the room.
When your treatment is complete and your doctor feels that you can go home, your nurse will review instructions and any necessary prescriptions. Please arrange for transportation home and follow-up care as directed in your discharge instructions.