Physical Health Care
The Emergency Department is a busy place.
These are the typical steps you can expect when you arrive injured or sick.
Step 1 - Arrival
You may arrive by ambulance with Emergency Medical Services (EMS), by car or walk in.
Step 2 - Triage
Please wait at the red stop sign. This gives the folks ahead of you some privacy.
Please have your Alberta Health Care Card ready.
Triage is used to figure out the order in which patient's need to be seen based on how sick they are.
If the ED is especially busy, a staff may take name and invite you to take a seat.
While you wait to be seen, think about:
- when the problem began (time of injury or how long you have been sick)
- the symptoms
- any treatments or medicines you have tried
- the last time was you had anything to eat or drink
When it is your turn, a triage nurse will call on you and enter you into the system.
To help know what kind of care you need, the nurse will listen to your story and ask some questions about your health. They may also do a quick check of your temperature, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure. This helps them decide the type of trouble you are having and how quickly you will be seen.
If you are in pain, medicines such as Tylenol or Advil can be provided by this nurse.
It is ok to ask for pain medicine if you need it.
If you will need blood work or an IV, you can ask for numbing cream
Click here to learn how you can have a voice in your pain care.
Click here for ideas on coping and distraction
You will then proceed to the Registration desk.
Step 3 - Registration
You will need your Alberta Health Care Card at registration.
Staff will confirm your contact information and give you a wristband with your name on it that links to your electronic health record. This may be scanned later when you are provided with treatment. It is important to keep it on for your entire visit.
When you are checked in, you can take a seat in the waiting room.
Step 4 - Waiting
Now you sit and wait for your name to be called. This can take a while. Do your best to make yourself comfortable.
There are TVs in the waiting room that have children's shows. There is another TV above the security desk that shows health information. Be sure to check it out!
Please ask the triage nurse before you eat or drink. Eating or drinking could delay assessments and treatments.
It is also a good idea to ask the triage nurse if they require a urine sample from you before you use the washroom. Please ask first!
People who are seriously injured or very sick are always seen first in the ED. This means that other people might be brought back to the treatment spaces before you, even if you got here first.
All patients who come to the emergency department will be seen.
Our triage nurses are experts at knowing who needs to be seen first (like those who are having trouble breathing) and who is safe enough to wait a bit. They decide this based on how sick the person is, who they need to be seen by, and what treatment spaces and staff are free.
Sometimes care might be provided in another area in the hospital, outside of the emergency department.
Sometimes the health care team will come and meet you in the waiting room to start your assessment.
We know it is incredibly difficult to wait.
If at any time during your wait, your condition changes or you have questions or concerns, or require pain care, you can go and speak to the triage nurse.
It is ok to ask for help with your pain.
While you wait, you can start a list to summarize your health history. You can do this as a note on your phone. This information will help the team care for you. Be sure to include:
- any medicines you take (you can find a medicine tracking resource here)
- any allergies
- history of previous hospitalizations
- any previous surgeries
- chronic conditions or illnesses
- relevant family history
- immunization history
- travel history
You can check estimated wait times here. You might be seen sooner or wait longer than these estimates.
If you decide you can no longer wait to be seen and want to leave the ED, please speak with a triage nurse.
Please look at the resources and links in this guide to help:
Eating or Drinking
Parking
Maps
Coping & Distraction
Pain & Comfort
Every child is unique.....
We understand that each child requires different supports during their hospital visit.
Children & youth who are anxious about hospitals or medical procedures (like needles), who are neurodivergent, or have other unique needs might need extra help to feel safe and calm while in the ED.
Child Life Team are professionals that can help! They can help with the stress and anxiety caused by being sick and in the hospital. We even have a Child Life Specialist who is dedicated to mental health.
Talk to your nurse about connecting with the Child Life team at any point during your visit.
If you know that certain treatments have helped you in the past, please let us know. You know what works best for you.
Click here for some specific resources and coping tools to help minimize discomfort, anxiety, etc.
Click here to learn how to help you have a voice in your pain care.
Step 5: Assessment & Treatment
When your name is called, you will be taken to a care space in the emergency department.
Here, you will be seen by members of the healthcare team. You may be asked for a list of medicines you take and any allergies you may have. Some tests (bloodwork, x-rays, other scans, etc.) might be done before you are diagnosed or treated.
If you will need blood work or an IV, you can ask for numbing cream or other things to help with pain. There are also comfort holds, distractions and other ways to make this experience as positive as possible. Click here to learn more. Ask if a Child Life team member is available. It is OK to ask your team for help.
You will be here for some time. As we are a teaching hospital, you will be visited by a number of healthcare team members, as they provide care and learn under supervision. Other specialists may be asked to come and see you. You may be asked to repeat information you have already shared. This is part of the process.
Please make yourself as comfortable as possible - turn lights down, ask for a blanket or other comfort items.
Remember to ask your nurse before you eat or drink. Eating or drinking could delay assessments and treatments.
Are you anxious? Have special needs? Be sure to ask your nurse to see the Child Life Team, who can provide many supports during your visit.
Step 6 - Discharge (leaving the ED)
Discharge from the ED will be different for everyone.
Discharge to home:
Some folks will be treated in the ED, reassessed (to be sure they are well), and then sent home.
Others might be referred to a specialist in the community for future follow-up.
Before leaving, be sure to ask:
- how to manage pain at home
- what signs or symptoms to come back for
- any other questions you have.
There are no bad questions!
Medicines might be prescribed for home. Be sure you are comfortable with them before you leave. It is important to get these filled at a pharmacy as soon as possible. Click here for more information on how to manage your medicines.
Click here for some resources for when you are home.
Admission:
Some children might need to stay in the hospital for further treatment and monitoring.
If you are being admitted, you may have to wait in the ED until the right care space is available for you.
Click here to learn more about how beds are assigned.
Click here to learn more about being admitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I help my child with their pain?
Click here to learn more about pain management.
Who are the care providers we will see and what do they do?
Click here to learn more about the health care providers you may see during your visit.
Where can we access food
Click here to learn more about eating & drinking. Remember to take care of yourself!
How long might I wait?
Click here to access approximate ED wait times.
Click here to learn more about wait times.
What about parking?
Click here to learn more.
Is masking still required in hospitals?
Click here for the most up-to-date information.
As a parent, how do I work with the healthcare team to care for my child?
You are a partner in your child's healthcare. Click here for some suggestions for building collaborative relationships.
I will be turning 18 in the next few years. What do I need to know about transitioning to adult care?
As you get older and more responsible for your own health and health care, it is important to have the tools and resources. Click here for information for you and your parents about the transition.
How can I be sure my child gets the best care?
We are committed to providing safe, comprehensive care. You are part of the safety team. Click here for some tips.