The 30-Minute ER Pledge at Crossroads Community Hospital

What exactly is the 30-Minute Pledge?
When patients enter the Emergency Department at Crossroads Community Hospital, the time of their arrival will be noted. Our pledge is that a clinical professional (Physician, Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice Nurse) will initially see them within 30 minutes of their arrival.

Does this mean patients will be on their way home in 30 minutes or less?
No. We will work hard to have a clinical professional initially see our patients and begin their evaluation and treatment within 30 minutes. Depending on the nature of their illness or injury, the duration of each visit will vary.

How is the timeframe of patients’ visits documented for this pledge?
When a patient arrives and checks in, the time of arrival will be noted. When the clinical professional initially sees the patient, the time will be documented by the Emergency Department staff.

Is a 30-Minute Pledge really necessary for an emergency room?
In many emergency rooms across the country, wait times have been increasing. We want to assure our patients that we are dedicated to not only offering quality care but also providing that care as efficiently as possible.

Are any other hospitals in the area offering the 30-Minute ER Pledge?
The 30-Minute ER Pledge is offered ONLY at Crossroads Community Hospital.

When do the 30 minutes officially start?
The 30 minutes start when the patient checks in with our staff at the Emergency Room desk.

Does the 30-Minute ER Pledge affect how patients are prioritized?
While the goal is to initially see every patient within 30 minutes, the most severe cases will always receive immediate attention.

How can the Emergency Department maintain quality care if speed is the priority?
It is not our objective now, nor will it ever be, to "rush" patients through the Emergency Department. Our process improvements have been focused on getting patients into a room as quickly as possible and enabling our clinical professional to initially see a patient and begin their diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.

Is the 30-Minute Pledge in effect at all times and does it apply to all ages - infants to senior citizens?
Yes.

Do I have to wait up to 30 minutes for someone to say, "May I help you?"
Absolutely not. Emergency Department staff will greet you as soon as you come in, and a nurse will assess your condition through a triage process. We know your time is valuable and we promise to do our best to have a clinical professional initially see you within 30 minutes.

Does this cost more?
No.

Is this covered by my insurance?
Yes. In fact, in emergency situations we welcome all insurance plans.

Disclaimer
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

The Emergency Department (ED) wait time is provided as an informational service to the public. It is approximate, and based on a rolling average that is updated four times an hour.

The ED wait time represents the time it takes from arrival until a patient is initially seen by a Physician). Patients are triaged upon their arrival in the ED. They are then seen by a Physician  in an order based on their complaint, condition, and the reason for their visit.

Should you have any additional questions about our 30-Minute Pledge, please ask any of our Emergency Department staff.

Crossroads Community Hospital's Emergency Services Department has a staff of specially trained medical professionals available to you 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.  Whether you or someone you love is suffering from chest pain, a broken bone, serious breathing problems, or any other threatening condition or injury, our dedicated ER staff can diagnose the problem and begin treatment immediately.

At first glance, our emergency room may look like many others.  We are different because of our caring staff who recognize and understand when you have an emergency - no matter how big or small - you want immediate attention.  With our advanced technology - Pro-Med - we track your care from arrival to discharge.

What to expect during your ER visit:

Step 1 - ER Arrival

Regardless of how you arrive, your condition will be assessed by a nurse through a process called "triage".  Triage is designed to assess the seriousness of your condition so that the staff can prioritize the flow of patients through the ER. 

Step 2 - Vital Signs

A nurse will check your vital signs - temperature, heart rate, blood pressure - and ask you about your symptoms that will help with your care.

A physician sees patients with the most serious injuries or illnesses first.  We pledge to care for everyone in a prompt, efficient manner, but life-threatening situations require immediate attention.  If your condition is not life threatening, you may be asked to wait until the physician is available.  While you may not see a crowd in the reception area, exam rooms may be filled with patients requiring immediate care.

Step 3 - The Physician Examination

In the exam room, a specially trained Emergency Physician will evaluate your condition.  The physician may order tests such as lab work, x-rays, EKG or other diagnostic procedures as necessary.  Some of these tests take time for results to be returned.  Nurses or other medical personnel will continue to monitor your vital signs and keep you informed of the expected time frame.

Step 4 - The Physician Discusses Condition and Treatment

The Emergency Physician will discuss diagnosis and treatment options with you, your family, and, if necessary, your private physician.  If you are seriously injured or ill or need constant care you may be admitted to the hospital.  If you need to stay in the hospital, you will be transferred from the ER to an inpatient bed as soon as possible.

If you are not admitted, the physician may refer you to your regular physician or another medical staff physician for follow-up care.

Step 5 - Discharge

Use this time to ask questions and review the take-home instructions we provide you.  If you have concerns after you leave the ER, don't hesitate to call us at 618-241-8797.

Step 6 - Payment

We ask that you provide insurance information before you leave the hospital.  We will file your insurance claims and handle the paperwork.  You will be responsible for any balance unpaid by your insurance.  Please note that you will receive a separate bill from the Emergency Physician group.

For further information or questions, please contact:

Tiffany Spenner, Director of Emergency Department Services

Direct Phone 618-241-8709