How long might I have to wait?
What if I am sent home?
AJthough everyone's experience is different,
the average visit to the Emergency
Department is five hours. Thi means
many visits are shorter and some arc longer.
You will be given treatment instructions and
advised to follow-up with your family doctor.
You may be referred to another physician or
clinic. Routine questions about your condition
should be addressed by the follow-up
physician.
When can my family visit?
Mount Sinai Hospital encou rages fami ly­
centered care. In the best interests of the
patients, we request the following:
• T hat families follow instructions
given by the nurse with regards to
lim iting the number of visitors and
the noise level;
• T hat visitors respect the privacy of
other patients and not wander freely
through the department; and,
• That families have one person to act
as their spokesperson to decrease
confusion and make communication
between staff and family members
easier.
Where can I smoke?
Mount Sinai Hospital is a smoke-free
environment. By law, smoking is not
allowed anywhere inside of the Hospital.
Smoking is permitted in the smoking
perimeter areas nine metres outside of the
Hospital doors.
Who w ill h elp me with other co ncerns?
The Emergency Department has access
to a Rabbi, Priest, or Minister should you
or your loved ones require religious or
spi ritual support. Social workers arc also
available to assist you with any persona l
concerns you may have. These persons and
other members of the Health Care Team
(Doctor, Occupational Therapist,
Physiotherapist, Home Care) can be
contacted by your nurse.
You may have been given specific signs to
watch fo r. ff your condition gets worse and
you are concerned, return to the Emergency
Department at once.
If you have questions about the instructions
you received, call the Emergency Department
(416-586-5054) any time and identify yourself
as a recent patient with questions abut your
care. The staff will get your chart and have you
spenk to a nurse.
Important Phone Numbers Your questions and feedback is important to us: Emergency Department:
416-586-5054
Emergency Physician's Business Office
(for billing problems, etc.):
416-586-5058
Patient Relations Office
(for compliments, concerns)
416-586-5066
No Medical Advice Will Be Given By Phone
Mount Sinai Ho pi tal
600 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MSG IXS
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MOUNT SINAl HOSPITAL
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Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Centre
Information
for Patients
and Visitors to
the Emergency
Department
Welcome to the Schwartz­
Reisman Emergency Centre at
Mount Sinai Hospital
As a patient in our department, your
welfare is our main concern. We want
to help make your visit as easy and as
comfortable as we can.
This pamphlet gives answers to questions
about the care you or your loved one will
receive in our Emergency Department.
Please feel free to ask any of our staff
questions at any time.
What will happen when I arrive in
the Emergency Department?
First you will see the triage
nurse...
The triage nurse has special training to
assess how quickly you need treatment and
in which room your care needs to happen.
The triage nurse will ask you questions
about what brought you to the Emergency
Department and about your general
health. He/she will take your pulse, blood
pressure, temperature, and breathing rate
and take note of any allergies you may have
and current medications you are taking.
If you feel you need to speak to someone
privately, please ask. We know that the
Emergency Department can be noisy and
crowded.
Check with your nurse before eating or
drinking. Some tests require you have an
empty stomach.
Leave your personal belongings and
valuables with a friend or a relative. If this
is not possible, please inform a member of
our staff and your items will be stored by
security.
Next, you will be registered...
The triage nurse gives your information to
a registration clerk. The clerk will ask you
fo r your name and address, your Ontario
Health Card (OHIP) number (or other
provincial heaLth pian number, patients
from out of country should request further
information about charges for emergency
care), your family doctor's name, and an
emergency contact number. It is important
that we have accurate contact information
from you in case we need to reach you to
discuss test results that return after you are
sent home. The clerk will make up your
chart and give you an identification band.
If you do not have a health card, you will
not be refused emergency care.
If the triage nurse feels you need to be
seen immediately by a physician, a family
member can register for you.
People are seen at triage and registration
on a first-come first-serve basis. Once they
are assessed, they move into a line based on
the severity of their symptoms. This line
is revised constantly, so people who have
arrived after you may be seen before you.
Please let a staff member know if your
condition changes while you are waiting.
After registration, you will
receive treatment...
Depending on your medical condition
as assessed by the triage nurse, you may
be sent to the appropriate area of the
Emergency Department to be seen by a
physician or you may be asked to stay in
the waiting room until an examination
room is available.
In the treatment area, a primary nurse will
assess your condition and be responsible
for your care while you are in the
Emergency Department. Mount Sinai is a
teaching hospital and you may be seen by
a physician-in-training. However, your
care will be supervised by the Emergency
Physician in-charge.
Tests or procedures will be ordered as
needed. Test results and diagnostic
procedures can take time to be completed
and for the results to be available.
Depending on the severity of your
condition and/ or test results, the
Emergency Physician, may:
a) Send you horne with instructions. If
necessary, the physician may make
arrangements for follow-up with your
own family doctor (if you do not
have a family doctor we can suggest
one), or for you to see a Mount Sinai
Hospital Specialist or Clinic. Make
sure you understand all instructions
before you leave, OR;
b) Refer you to a consulting physician or
a specialist who will decide whether
or not to admit you to the hospital.
Why is the wait long?
We do our best to let you know when you
will be seen. Things can change quickly in
the Emergency Department and delay your
care. Patients requiring the most urgent
care must be treated first. There may also
be delays while we wait for your test results
from the laboratory or x-ray departments.
Please understand that our aim is to
provide you with the most efficient service
possible. If you do have to wait, a nurse
will be nearby to answer your questions
and monitor your condition. Your
patience is appreciated.