Emergency Department

Emergency Department

Emergency Department builds reputation on customer service… Rapid treatment, concern for the patient care are hallmarks of McLaren Greater Lansing’s emergency team.

Ed has been experiencing chest pains. His wife, Sheila, called 911, because she knew not to wait during a possible heart attack. The ambulance swiftly transported Ed to McLaren Greater Lansing’s Level III Emergency Department (ED).

The Emergency Medical Services squad has been talking with the McLaren Greater Lansing ED team by two-way phone, coordinating Ed’s heart care from the moment he was lifted into the ambulance. A physician is waiting to examine him and provide immediate treatment. Sheila followed by car. The Emergency Department allows Sheila to come in and provide Ed with emotional support.

The ED staff completes bedside registration with them. Blood draws are started quickly after the patient arrives. An on-call cardiologist will be part of Ed’s evaluation team. Depending on the diagnosis, Ed may be sent to the Chest Pain Center for monitoring, to the cardiac catheterization lab or to surgery, admitted for further evaluation, or discharged and referred for follow-up care.

Ed and Sheila are probably fully aware of the surroundings, but McLaren Greater Lansing’s ED doesn’t have the “feel” of TV’s “ER”. Ed has been in a private room during evaluation and treatment. Sheila is there to hear regular updates on Ed’s condition. There haven’t been any crashing carts or screaming staff. Tonight, the atmosphere is tranquil enough to be calming, but the staff is very attentive to Ed’s medical care, and physical and emotional comfort.

Ed and Sheila may not meet ED Medical Director Les Puretz, D.O., during the time they’re in the ED, but they will see one of the 14 ED board-certified attending physicians, trained in both Advanced Cardiac and Advanced Trauma Life Support. As a teaching hospital, one or more ED residents are on duty during any 24-hour day, so McLaren Greater Lansing’s ED never closes its doors. One or more ACLS-certified nurses are part of Ed’s care team. A triage nurse evaluates and prioritizes patient care, and conducts a medical screening exam.

Ed is a Level Red patient in need of immediate care to preserve life, limb or eyesight. Patients with serious injuries are a Yellow Level, meaning their illnesses that might worsen. The goal is an ED physician will see these patients in approximately 10 minutes. Patients in serious, but stable condition, usually see a physician in 20 minutes, while those with less urgent medical care needs usually see a doctor within 60 minutes. It’s standard practice that this specially trained nursing staff works closely with all attending physicians.

Among their skills are:

• Performing cardioscope monitoring and interpreting arrhythmias.
• Initiating IV therapy of all medications.
• Beginning gastic lavage (washing) and assist with arterial line insertion.
• Maintaining patients on mechanical ventilation.
• Assisting with pacemaker insertion.
• Administering blood components.
• Stabilizing fractures, control bleeding, insert Foley catheters, manage pain, and begin pulse oximetry.
• Establishing patient airways, IV access and defibrillate patients as needed.

• Triage room so those with life-threatening health issues are seen first.
• Two open wards with bedside privacy curtains.
• Major trauma room.
• Decontamination room.
• 32 beds, including two private OB/GYN rooms and an ear, nose and throat room.
• Each patient room has oxygen access, suction, and emergency back-up power.
• Radiology suite for emergency services.
• TTY deaf telephone access for hearing and speech-impaired individuals.

Nurse to Sheila: "You must be Ed’s wife. Ed will be going to the cardiac catheterrization lab for evaluation. You did the right thing by calling 911, rather than trying to transport Ed on your own. The treatment the paramedics gave him in the ambulance was important in keeping him stable. One of our aides will escort you to the family lounge near the cath lab, and the staff will update you on Ed’s condition. Let us know if you’d like to have an on-call chaplain stop by the family lounge. Here’s one of our cards – call the Emergency Department at (517) 975-7500 with any follow-up questions. Take good care. Ed is in good hands."

McLaren Greater Lansing's Emergency Department is pleased to partner with Community Emergency Medical Services for patient transport. Check them out by going to www.regionalems.org