What to Expect in the E.R.

Placentia-Linda Hospital’s Emergency Department offers 24-hour emergency and work-related injury services. Our Emergency Department is dedicated to service excellence with a focus on a patient-centered experience. Our Emergency Department physicians are board certified in Emergency Medicine.

We know that visiting an E.R. isn’t always expected and can by a scary experience.  We will do our best to make your visit as comfortable as possible for you.    

When you have a medical emergency, you want to be seen and diagnosed as quickly as possible.  We’ve provided some information to help you know what to expect during your visit.

Why Am I Waiting?

• Ambulance patients may be arriving who need to be seen immediately.
• Some medications need to be mixed and reviewed by one of our pharmacists.
• The doctor and/or nurse may be waiting for your rest results.
• The doctor may be trying to reach your primary care physician or a specialist.

Helpful Tips

• It’s recommended that you do not eat or drink anything before you speak with the triage nurse as this could affect your care and possibly delay treatment.
• Please let the triage nurse know about any and all medications, vitamins, herbal supplements or substances you may be taking.
• Please check with the triage nurse prior to using the restroom in case a specimen is needed.

Step 1:  Triage

In the emergency department, patients are seen in the order of medical severity.  When you arrive, you will first be greeted by our patient care representatives who will take some information about your symptoms, etc.  Then, you will be escorted to one of our triage nurses, who are specifically trained to identify life-threatening issues.  After your assessment, you will be prioritized according to the medical severity of your symptoms.

Step 2:  Treatment Area

You will be taken into a treatment room where you will be prepped for your visit with the physician and greeted by one or more of our nurses, who will obtain additional information for the physician’s arrival.

Step 3:  Doctor’s Exam

You will then be examined by a board certified emergency physician.  The doctor will assess, diagnose and treat your current medical condition.

Step 4:  Testing

The physician may order tests to help diagnose or treat your illness.  These tests may or may not include lab studies, X-rays, CT scan, Ultrasound, MRI or EKG.  Please keep in mind that it may take some time for the test results to be compiled and reviewed.

Step 5:  Diagnosis & Treatment

After your care, it will be determined whether you can be safely discharged or if you will need to be admitted to the hospital for further care.  We will provide you with a personalized diagnosis that will be explained to you.

Visitors and Family

We believe family and visitors play an important part in patient care and healing.  We welcome you to have family and visitors in your treatment room.  Out of respect for the privacy of other patients, the size of the room and because our healthcare professionals will be in and out, we ask that you please limit visitors.  Additional visitors are welcome to wait in the lobby area or outside on the benches.

For a referral to a physician, call 1-888-573-2462.