Description:

Emergency Department in the hospital is a 35-bed department located on the first floor.  One nursing station at the entrance serves the needs of all personnel, including nursing staff, physicians, and any ancillary staff performing duties on the unit.  An area for registration and triage is located across the hall from the ER. The Emergency Department operates continually, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. 

Population Served:

The Emergency Department provides care for patients of all ages, including non-urgent, urgent, and emergent cases.  All pediatric patients will have actual weights measured in kilograms.  All patients are accepted and stabilized.  If a higher level of care is required for proper treatment, the patient is transferred as appropriate.  Cardiac, respiratory, GI, and metabolic diagnoses are the most common to be seen in the ED. Anticipated volume for yearly volume is 40,000 patients.

D. RATIO: 

Mandated nurse to patient ratio are maintained, ED-1:4, ED Critical Care 1:2, ED Trauma 1:1.  Minimum staffing is two RNs

The FAST is a component of Palmdale Regional Medical Center. FAST recognizes its place as a health care resource for its surrounding community by providing 24-hours comprehensive medical care and urgent medical care.  This area will be operating 24/7 staffed with two (2) licensed nurses and one Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner. The Unit also provides prompt, courteous, cost-effective, and quality health care to its patients, with an emphasis on “early return to work” for work-related injuries. Patients assigned to this area are categorized as ESI Level 3-4-5 – Conditions which generally need evaluation and treatment but time is not a critical factor.  (Mental status and vital signs are normal for this group of patients).The flow of patients in and out of the FAST should be a “continuous” process and not by boluses of patients.

The categories are general guidelines only. Patients with complaints should be prioritized according to the nature of the complaint, degree of distress and vital signs.

H. EQUIPMENT:

The equipment used by the nursing staff in the Emergency Department includes:

• Cardiac monitors

• IV pumps

• Oximeters

• Slit lamp

• Glucose meters

• Pyxis machine             

Equipment Use is determined by manufacturers’ recommendations and users’ manuals.

Certification Required of ED  Personnel:

• RN:  Current California license, BCLS, ACLS, PALS

• Aide/Clerk:  Basic education

• EDT:  EMT Certification