Emergency Care

Ellis is rethinking emergency care. We’re collaborating with emergency first-responders and streamlining our processes at every stage to get patients into treatment faster .

What to expect while in the Emergency Department

We understand visiting an Emergency Department can be stressful. Minutes may seem like hours when you are anxious and uncomfortable. We are dedicated to giving you and your family excellent care as quickly as possible. To help you understand what to expect, we have provided this information to answer some of your questions.

Arrival

When you sign in at the greeter desk, our staff determines the severity of your medical need. You may not be seen on a first come, first served basis. You may see patients taken back to a room when you have been waiting for some time to be called back. We make every effort to get patients to a room as quickly as possible. We know your time is valuable, but we have to make decisions based on the severity of each individual case. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding when you have to wait.

We ask that patients not eat or drink anything until your provider gives permission. Many tests require that patients not eat or drink before these tests are done. When in doubt always ask your nurse.

Registration

The registrar will identify each patient with a photo ID and obtain contact information. It is very important that you give accurate information in case we need to contact you later regarding your results. Consent for treatment and HIPPA forms are signed at this time.

Results Pending

Our goal is to provide you very good care in a timely manner. In times of high volume, you may need to return to the waiting room to await results. Please do not leave until you are discharged.

Why do people wait?

Once you are taken to an examination room, there are many reasons you might have to wait. Things can change quickly in an Emergency Department, causing a delay in your care. Some examples are:

• Patients requiring most urgent care are treated first.
• Delays while waiting for test results from lab work and X-ray.
  • Lab test - 1 hour (Ex. blood work, urine)
  • X-ray - 1 hour
  • CT Scan - 2 hours
• Overcrowding due to flu, multiple ambulances, or many patients arriving at the same time.
• Waiting for consultation from your family doctor or specialist.
• Waiting to be admitted or transferred.
• Discharge process - This could take 45 minutes
  • The discharge process includes receiving and reviewing physician discharge instructions and prescription information if applicable.

Our Commitment To Our Patients:

• We will introduce ourselves
• We will check on you regularly
• We will keep you informed
• We will make every effort to address your pain
• We will treat you with dignity and respect
• We will clearly explain your discharge instructions

Who provides your care?

Emergency Providers

US Acute Care Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants staff our Emergency Department. The Providers work closely with our nursing staff to provide your care.

Nurses

Nurses complete a medical history and assess each patient when they first get to their room. They keep you updated and check on you hourly during your visit. They will help you understand the plan of care during your ED visit, as well as when you are discharged. Please provide a list of current medications so that staff can update your chart with the most accurate information and preferred pharmacy.

Patient Care Technicians

Trained Patient Care Technicians do a lot to assist our nursing staff, such as drawing blood, doing EKGs, and transporting our patients to other departments. They are valued members of our team.

Unit Secretary

Unit secretary coordinates phone calls and assists where needed.

Admission and Discharge Process

Admission

Your illness or injury may require you to be admitted. You will be assigned an inpatient bed, orders for your care will be obtained, and you will be transferred when your bed is available.

Discharge

A nurse will give you discharge instructions to sign before you leave. It is important that you understand your instructions as well as any medications or prescriptions you may have been given. If you do not understand something, please ask. If you have questions after you return home, please call the Emergency Department.

We Value Your Opinion

After discharge, you may receive a follow-up call or survey. If you do receive a survey, we ask that you fill it out and return in the postage paid envelope. We want your honest opinions. It helps us to know how we are doing and where we can improve. We would like you to recommend our ED to your family and friends. We would also encourage you to recognize any staff member that gave you excellent care.

 

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Improving emergency care in our community

Ellis Medicine focuses intensely on providing the proper level of care in the proper location. Emergency care is a key priority. The expanded and modernized Ellis Hospital Emergency Department has allowed us to handle all emergency care cases in Schenectady County in a single location. In addition, the Medical Center of Clifton Park has helped Ellis bring care closer to people in Southern Saratoga County, one of the fastest growing areas of the state.

Ellis Emergency Care Centers:

Ellis Hospital - 518.243.4121 - 1101 Nott Street, Schenectady NY
Medical Center of Clifton Park - 103 Sitterly Road, Clifton Park NY 

Know your options...

The Emergency Room is not always the ideal place for every health care need. We will always be there for you, but please, reserve the ED for the most critical injuries and illnesses. For routine care, avoid the wait and try one of our walk-in sites. Know your options. Learn more...

SAFE program

The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners program (S.A.F.E) at Ellis hospital strives to help victims of sexual assault to begin the healing process and to assist with obtaining forensic evidence after an assault. We provide care for patients in need of our expert care from Schenectady and all surrounding counties.

The Ellis Hospital S.A.F.E. Program is staffed by registered nurses who have advanced education and training in medical-forensic examination including collection of forensic DNA evidence, evaluation of pattern injuries and pathognomonic wounds as well as training in forensic photography. Along with forensic training as detailed above, our nurses partner with our emergency physician staff for sexual assault survivors with up-to-date guideline based appropriate medical care.

Our S.A.F.E. nurses provide comprehensive care for the patient while in the Emergency Department. This also includes helping the patient to obtain care after the evaluation in the Emergency Department to continue their recovery, both physically and emotionally as well as testifying in court on the patient’s behalf in the case of a trial.

The Ellis Hospital Emergency Department S.A.F.E. program partners with Victim Advocacy Services of Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson, Inc. to provide patients with advocacy and accompaniment through the forensic exam, police statement and criminal justice proceedings, including providing expert testimony.

The S.A.F.E. program is provided at no cost to the patient through the New York State Office of Victim Services. This includes the forensic exam, as well as any medications needed.

What to do if you need help:

Any victim of sexual assault should go immediately to the Ellis Emergency Department or to the Medical Center of Clifton Park. For patient privacy, at Ellis Emergency Department, patients need only to ask for the “SAFE room” and they will be brought immediately to our patient room dedicated to caring for sexual assault survivors.

We have staff members dedicated to the continued development of the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (S.A.F.E) program as well as providing continuing education for our providers.