Emergency Room
We’re Ready When You Need Us
The Emergency Room (ER) at Saint Vincent Hospital provides you with access to nationally renowned experts in emergency medicine, toxicology, cardiac problems, trauma, and more when you need them most. At the Saint Vincent Hospital Emergency Room, you’ll find:
- Patient procedures designed to make sure you see a doctor as quickly as possible
- Expert emergency room doctors and highly skilled nurses providing specialized emergency care and triage
- A fully equipped department that treats more than 60,000 patients each year
We work with TEAMHealth, a physician led and physician focused company to provide physician coverage at Saint Vincent. This includes Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia and Hospitalist Medicine. With these experts on hand, Saint Vincent Hospital is proud to be able to offer some of the region’s top emergency care.
The Saint Vincent Hospital Emergency Room is designed for us to provide prompt, personalized care. Our facilities are fully equipped with 38 beds and specialized treatment rooms for resuscitation, eye, ear, nose and throat problems, orthopedic injuries, obstetrical and cardiac emergencies. If you’re in need of further care, Saint Vincent Hospital is able to admit you for treatment or direct you to specialized medicine at the hospital.
Door-to-Doctor Procedures
In order to ensure you see a doctor as soon as possible, our Emergency Room uses a “Door-to-Doctor” procedure for quick, effective treatment for every patient who comes through our doors. When you arrive, you’ll be seen by a triage nurse who will evaluate your condition and place you in a priority queue based on the severity of your symptoms. This order may change as new patients with more severe symptoms arrive at the emergency room. If your condition changes while you wait, please let the nurse know.
Depending on your condition, you may be sent to the emergency room to be seen by a doctor or asked to wait until an exam room is available.
After being seen by an emergency room doctor, you’ll either be sent home with instructions or referred to a consulting doctor or specialist who will decide if you should be admitted to the hospital.
All Emergency Room Services
Whether it’s a broken bone, high fever or a more severe medical emergency like a heart attack, we are ready to pro...
Find out what constitutes a medical emergency and when you should visit an emergency room or ER.
Come to our hospital knowing that we do everything possible to keep patients and staff safe.
Saint Vincent Hospital provides helpful emergency health articles and tips to keep you in the know on trending topics, c...
Nine Common Signs of Appendicitis
Appendicitis is the medical term for an infection or inflammation in your appendix. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgery in the United States. Appendicitis may occur at any age, but is more likely to develop in teens and adults in their twenties.
Types of Appendicitis
There are two types of appendicitis:
1. Acute appendicitis
With this type of appendicitis, the symptoms are usually more severe and they develop all of a sudden.
2. Chronic appendicitis
Chronic cases usually have milder symptoms which may come and go from a few weeks to several years.
Causes of Appendicitis
This serious condition can be caused by one or a combination of the following:
- a blockage in the appendix
- an enlarged tissue in the wall of your appendix
- an inflammatory bowel disease
- abdominal trauma
- growths, parasites or stool that can clog the inner part of your appendix
Appendicitis requires immediate medical attention. If you don’t seek immediate treatment, your appendix may burst and spread bacteria or infection into your abdomen, which may lead to more health risks and complications.
Signs of Appendicitis
The signs of appendicitis may vary for each person. But the most common signs include:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Inability to pass gas
- Loss of Appetite
- Mild fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Diagnosis
Doctors usually ask specific questions about the patient’s medical history and symptoms when diagnosing appendicitis. You may also need lab tests, a physical exam, MRI, ultrasound, x-ray or a CT scan.
Treatment Options
Some mild cases of appendicitis may be treated with antibiotics. But usually, if you have appendicitis, your doctor may recommend the immediate removal of your appendix through a surgery to reduce the risk of rupture. The surgeon may perform a:
Laparoscopic surgery
This minimally invasive procedure uses smaller incisions to remove your appendix. Laparoscopic surgery usually leads to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times and less complications. Your physician may recommend that you limit physical activity for three to five days after the surgery.
Laparotomy
In this type of open surgical procedure, the surgeon removes the appendix through a single incision in the lower part of the abdomen. You may be advised to limit physical activity for 10 to 14 days after the surgery.
Final Thoughts
The appendix can rupture within 48 to 72 hours from the onset of symptoms. So if you are experiencing signs of an appendicitis, please seek care by booking an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. In case of a ruptured appendix, which is considered a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
Sources:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Healthline