Triage
Everyone coming to the Emergency Department is seen by a triage nurse. The triage nurse will ask you questions to help determine the exact nature of your health problem. The information you provide will allow us to expedite your care.

Patients who are referred to the Emergency Department
If you have been referred to the Emergency Department by your physician or other medical provider please let the Triage and other emergency personnel know so that we can communicate with the referring person.

Medications
Please bring your medication list or the actual medication containers so we can use this vital information during your visit.

Wait Time
Because of the nature of the Emergency Department, we see the sickest patients first. This means that we cannot always see less urgent patients as soon as they would like. We apologize if you find you have to wait, and we appreciate your patience. If for any reason you are unable to wait until a doctor can see you, please tell us you are leaving.

Examination and Testing
A doctor and/or physician assistant will examine you, as well as order and perform any tests needed to help us treat your problem. Sometimes, certain tests require that patients go to other parts of the hospital and then return to the Emergency Department.

Mobile Registration
Everyone seen in the Emergency Department needs to be registered; a registrar will ask you for identification and insurance information. While confidentiality and privacy are always a priority, feel free to express any concerns you may have. Your cooperation in registration will allow us to find any previous medical records, order testing and keep track of your care in case you come here again.

Admission
Based on the diagnosis, the doctor will decide whether it is best to send you home or you should be admitted to the hospital. If admission is necessary, you may wait for a bed to become available in the hospital. If so, we will do whatever we can to make sure you are comfortable and keep you informed.

Follow-Up
If you are able to go home, a registrar will review any instructions, including about prescribed medications, when applicable, to be sure you understand how to take care of your health.

Sometimes, patients can be discharged before their test results are available. If this is your situation, we may need to reach you by phone, so please be sure we have your correct phone number, as well as your address. If you cannot provide a phone number, we may instruct you to call us.

You may also be asked to fill out a survey to tell us about your experience in the Emergency Department. We use these results to help improve the services we provide. We appreciate your letting us know what we've done well and what we could do better next time.

Others Who Can Help
In addition to the medical staff, there are other people working in the Emergency Department who can help you. You may ask to speak to the Coordinator, Patient Service Liason, Administrator on Call or Social Worker at any time.

Finding a Doctor for the Future
If you do not have a doctor of your own and would like to have one here at Mount Sinai, please call 1-800-MD-SINAI (1-800-637-4624), and you will receive free assistance in finding the doctor who best meets your needs.

Contact Us
For any questions, comments or concerns, please call the Emergency Medicine Patient Service Center at (212) 241-6794.

We know how helpful visitors can be for patients and for the people taking care of them. Family members and close friends can help the patient feel more comfortable and supported in moments of crisis and may even speed recovery. Visitors can also play an important role in sharing valuable information about the patient to healthcare providers. We therefore try to permit visiting at all times of the day.

To allow us to provide the best care to all our patients, we ask all visitors to follow a few simple guidelines:

• Due to space limitations, we ask that only one visitor at a time be with a patient.
• Please stay close to the person you are with to protect other patients' privacy.
• Visitors should respect the rights of others and not bring food for themselves or their loved ones or friends into the treatment areas.
• Cell phones in the patient care area can interfere with medical equipment and are therefore not permitted; you are welcome to use your cell phone in the waiting area.
• If many family members are present, the next of kin or guardian should identify him- or herself as spokesperson.
• Please feel free to use the waiting area to take a break or speak to other concerned family members or friends of the patient. Should you be needed back in the treatment area, the waiting room's loudspeaker may be used to call you in.
• There are times in the Emergency Department when we may need to ask that all visitors temporarily go out to the waiting area. These times are usually related to crowded conditions or staffing changes, and are usually brief. Be assured that, when this happens, you will be told when you may return which will be as soon as possible.

Staffed by personnel highly trained in the acute care of children, the Pediatric Emergency Department focuses both on expert care and on making the experience for you and your child as stress-free as possible. We hope that pointing out certain resources, as well as some suggestions and ideas, will make your visit a little easier.

Child Life Services
During the Emergency Department's busiest weeday hours, the Child Life Program of the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine is available to assist you and your child in making the hospital experience a positive one - helping ease fears of unfamiliar surroundings, new faces, traumatic illness or injury. Child Life Specialists assess patients' coping skills and understanding of procedures while maintaining an environment that offers an array of activities and learning experiences.

Helpful Tips
The following suggestions have been designed to help you and your child feel more at ease during your stay at the Emergency Department:

• Bring, or ask someone to bring, familiar objects from home (e.g. a pillow, toys, snacks, sippy cups or pacifiers).
• Hold and talk gently to your child during medical procedures. Focus on positive, calming things, like favorite places or activities, or try to distract your child with toys, pop-up books or interesting stories.
• Help your child relax by showing him or her how to take deep breaths. Make this exercise more fun by having your child blow bubbles.

Prior to Procedures

• Use language your child will understand to explain what he or she will see, hear and experience in the Emergency Department during the procedures.
• Let your child speak out about any concerns or fears and address any misconceptions.
• Ask your child if he or she is interested in knowing the medical procedures step by step.
• Let your child express his or her feelings naturally (including by crying or yelling).
• Help your child feel more in control by assigning him or her responsibilities (e.g. "Your responsibility is to sit still so the doctor can be done quicker").
• When possible, practice the coping techniques that you plan to use.

During Procedures

• Be honest with your child. Do not make promises you cannot keep (e.g. "There won't be any needles" or "it won't hurt").
• When possible, give your child a choice (e.g. "Which arm would you like to have the doctor look at first").
• Explain why the procedure needs to take place (e.g. "It will make you feel better").