If you or a loved one experiences a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. These symptoms should not be ignored:
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Sudden or severe pain
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Change in vision
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Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
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Confusion or changes in mental state
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Coughing or vomiting blood
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Difficulty breathing
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Difficulty speaking
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Fainting, sudden dizziness or weakness
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Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
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Severe fractures
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Shortness of breath
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Uncontrolled bleeding
Our Emergency Department staff includes physicians, physician assistants and certified registered nurse practitioners, licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. The physician assistants and nurse practitioners are credentialed by the medical staff for privileges in the ED and demonstrate proficiency in emergency medical care.
The physician assistants and nurse practitioners provide:
- Medical assessment
- Orders for appropriate diagnostic testing
- Treatment modalities
- Patient education
- Referrals
This is done under the supervision of an Emergency Department physician.
The department is also staffed with professional registered nurses, licensed in the State of Pennsylvania, who are BLS, ACLS, APLS verified.
Specialty nurses for non-violent crisis intervention, stroke care and sexual assault nurses also work on the department staff. All ED nurses complete a mandatory rhythm interpretation class, critical care class and a course on Advanced Pediatric Life Support.
All our nurses must demonstrate competency in the performance of specialized emergency nursing skills annually, as well as the skills required of all the nurses in the hospital, to work in the ED.