Step 1:  Triage
Upon arrival, patients check in at the Quick Look desk and receive an identification bracelet. The Quick Look nurse interviews each patient for a brief medical history and the reason for their Emergency department visit. The nurse also provides a brief exam which includes checking blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygenation and temperature.

The Quick Look process helps determine the severity of the patient’s condition to assure that the most urgent patients are seen by the physician first. Some of our facilities, however, have implemented an Intake Area option, a specific treatment area for minor illnesses or injuries.

The Quick Look nurse may initiate limited diagnostic tests in order to smoothly expedite a patient through the treatment process. 

Step 2:  Registration
Next, the registration process is completed by providing the necessary information to begin the medical chart. The patient may also receive some initial testing to diagnose the problem. If available, patients will be directed to a private exam room. Otherwise, patients are asked to wait in the lobby area until their name is called. It is important that patients or family members notify the Quick Look nurse immediately if symptoms change or worsen.

Step 3:  Treatment
The testing process continues once the patient enters the treatment area.  While the physician directs patient care at all times, other members of the care team who support the physician may be providing care as well. Team members may include a registered nurse, physician assistant, registered nurse practitioner, respiratory therapist, emergency or radiology technicians, or social worker.  Often there are a variety of tests that need to be completed in order to correctly diagnose and treat a patient’s condition. Getting the results from these tests may take time, but they help us confirm that we are providing the right treatment and medical advice.

Step 4:  Re-evaluation
After treatment, the emergency physician re-evaluates the patient. Based upon test results, patients may be discharged home or admitted to the hospital. Any hospital admission and on-going care will be directed by the patient’s private physician, a hospitalist (a doctor who works in the hospital and can closely monitor care following admission) or one assigned by the Emergency department for specialty care (such as a cardiologist or neurologist).

Step 5:  Going Home/Discharge
Patients who are treated and discharged home are provided with complete after-care instructions to follow.  It is very important that patients follow up with their private physician. (If patients don't have a personal doctor, we can recommend one.)

Additional tips:
To speed up the process and help the health care team provide treatment, it’s helpful to bring a list of current medications, list of allergies and insurance verification. Patients and visitors may also want to bring activities or materials to help pass the time while waiting.

We know emergencies happen at inconvenient times, but if a child isn’t the patient, we recommend that you leave him or her with another responsible adult when visiting the Emergency department. This is particularly important during winter months when the Phoenix area experiences influenza, RSV and other very contagious respiratory illnesses. Time spent in the Emergency department may also be longer during this part of the year which can be a difficult thing for young children.