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Screenings & Diagnosis

When you arrive at a Banner Health Emergency department, a triage nurse will take a quick look and medical history to determine how serious your emergency is and to prioritize your care.

Once you have been evaluated, you may need tests to determine exactly what is happening so that you can receive the best treatment.

What Kinds of Tests Will I Have in the Emergency Department?

Banner Health Emergency departments are located in our facilities and staffed by specially trained nurses and physicians.

Depending on your emergency you may receive some of the following tests or screenings to determine exactly what is happening and to help health care providers make the right choices about your treatment.

Screening & Diagnosis

In the Emergency department at Banner Health, you may be screened or tested to help doctors decide the best treatment for you.

CBC and The Protime

The most common blood test is the CBC (complete blood count). It looks at the red and white blood cells to check for anemia and/or infection. If you are taking blood thinners, your doctor may order a Protime test to make sure you are taking the proper dose.

Chemistry Profile

Results of this comprehensive test detail everything from sugar levels to electrolytes and enzymes pertaining to each of the major organ systems. Heart attack, diabetes, dehydration and kidney problems are among the medical situations which can be found through this test.

Urinalysis (UA)

A urine sample may be tested for kidney infections and/or kidney stones. It may also detect certain types of drugs in the body.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

This test on blood taken from an artery (usually one in the wrist) measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and acid or pH content, giving doctors information that helps in diagnosing heart problems, drug reactions or overdoses, or diabetic problems. Results can be ready in 15 minutes.

EKG

This common, painless procedure measures electrical activity of the heart. A doctor usually orders this test when a heart attack or other heart problem is suspected or needs to be ruled out.

Imaging

X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds give health care providers a picture of the inside of the body. Using these images, doctors can distinguish broken bones from sprains, identify brain injuries, or view an unborn baby.

Other Tests

Blood tests to screen specifically for blood alcohol levels or pregnancy status can also be performed by the Emergency department.