Fort Sanders Foundation now offers online donation for Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Information for New Fort Sanders Physicians Fort Sanders Physicians Directory

Create a free personalized website to support and connect loved ones during illness, treatment and recovery.

Submit a "Shining Star" to recognize outstanding employees

Fort Sanders Regional Quality information is online

Information for New Fort Sanders Employees

Net Nursery The newest faces in East Tennessee are online and at Fort Sanders!

Your Passport to a Healthier, Fuller Life Seniors, Sign Up Now!

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center Supports Operation Stroke in Knoxville. Visit the American Heart Association Website

Emergency Medicine At Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Inside the ER Preparing for the Unexpected "Renovations to ER Mean Better Service to Patients" (Healthwise, 11/1/99) Medical emergencies can be traumatic and frightening experiences, whether you are the patient or accompanying a loved one. At Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, our goal is to provide prompt and compassionate service to you during this time. Our newly renovated Emergency Care Center allows us to better meet your needs. Staff Our staff cares. We've all been in emergency situations, and our staff always keeps in mind the fears and anxieties the patient is experiencing. We keep loved ones informed regularly on the patient's progress, realizing that the fear of the unknown can unnecessarily add tension to an already stressful situation. Our physicians and nurses take time to fully explain diagnostic tests and procedures to patients every step of the way in a clear and comprehensive manner. Services Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is equipped with the latest in treatment technology and patient care. Strategic departments located within our newly renovated Emergency Care Center gives us the strength of four ERs in one. Priority Care Center - provides fast assessment and treatment for non life-threatening emergencies. Trauma/Critical Care Area - provides rooms designed and equipped to handle life-threatening emergencies. Cardiovascular Observation Center - for patients experiencing symptoms of heart attack or stroke. Emergency Treatment Unit - treatment rooms specially designed to treat OB/GYN, orthopedic, psychiatric and other medical emergencies. Efficiency Realizing that waiting is sometimes the hardest thing to do, Fort Sanders Regional has developed unique features within our Emergency Care Center that help reduce wait times. Bedside Registration - to avoid needless delays in the waiting room, bedside registration allows the patient to relay medical and insurance information to our nurses with comfort. Patient Tracking System - a new computerized system to continually monitor your treatment and progress. Radiology Room - to avoid being transported to hospital departments on other floors, x-ray equipment is conveniently located right in our Emergency Care Center. Easy Access - surgery, intensive care and other vital areas of the hospital are easily accessible from the Emergency Care Center. Inside the ER Although medical emergencies are almost always unexpected, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for a visit to the emergency room. Carry with you a list of your loved ones' names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, current medication (dosage and schedule), insurance information, and a living will (if applicable). Either the patient or a family member will be asked to provide this information upon arrival at the emergency room. Triage and Registration Under most circumstances, the first phase of your care will be triage. Each patient will be examined by a nurse specially trained in emergency care. The nurse will conduct a general assessment of your condition including your temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure to determine the severity of your illness or injury (seriously ill or injured patients arriving by ambulance will be seen first and do not go to triage). Following triage, we will complete the registration process in the treatment room at bedside. If no room is immediately available, you will be registered and taken to a room as soon as possible (at times, it may be necessary to transfer you from a room to accommodate a more seriously ill or injured patient). Treatment After the registration process is complete, an ER physician will examine you and evaluate your condition. If your illness/injury is not severe, you may be examined in our Priority Care Center by a physician assistant. Once you have been stabilized, you will either be: Discharged; Moved to the Observation Center where doctors/nurses will reassess your condition every one to two hours; or Admitted to the hospital. Patient and Visitation Information At the time of your arrival, one family member will be given a visitor pass. We encourage one family member to remain with the patient and take information to the other family members. The hospital staff cannot provide information to family members without specific instructions from the patient. A staff person in the lobby area is also available around the clock to assist family members as needed. Preparing for the Unexpected Knowing what to do in an emergency is key. The simple advice below may help you to handle an emergency situation calmly and quickly. Know How And When To Call 9-1-1. Teach everyone in the family, including young children, to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. When you reach the emergency operator, be calm, speak clearly, and explain the nature of the emergency and your location. Stay on the line. Keep Emergency Numbers On Hand Keep emergency numbers on hand or program your phone to speed dial numbers such as 9-1-1, the nearest hospital, your doctor, the fire department, poison control, the veterinarian, and close neighbors or friends. If you leave your children alone or with a babysitter, always post a number where you can be reached. Learn First Aid and CPR Local community organizations offer classes in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If you're already certified, be sure to keep your skills updated with refresher courses. Keep basic first aid and medical supplies on hand Include these items: bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, disinfectant, cotton balls, pain reliever (aspirin or ibuprofen), antibacterial and antifungal ointments, scissors, tweezers, antacids, antihistamines, aloe vera gel, thermometer, icepacks, and elastic bandages. You don't expect emergencies, but we do. Choose the ER that's ready to meet your needs. For more information about the Emergency Care Center at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, please call Paul Mullinix at 865/541-2245.

Covenant Health | All About Us
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Notice Of Privacy Practices | Disclaimer