Emergency Room

Expert Emergency Care

The NDH Emergency Room, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, occupies 6,500 square feet of the 50,000 square foot, 3-story Paul Rosenthal Pavilion. It features 10 private rooms, a high-tech treatment and observation suite for the most critical patients in need of constant monitoring, a decontamination room where patients presenting with any suspected biological or chemical contamination can be completely isolated and decontaminated, and a sophisticated video surveillance system, which monitors the entire ER. Accessing the ER also becomes much easier as there are dedicated and separate entrances for patients arriving by ambulance or walking in.

Further, the centralized triage area, bedside registration and enlarged waiting room, complete with a children's play area, makes the ER more accessible and user friendly for patients and their family members. A dedicated physician consultation room also offers a private and comfortable area for physicians to update family members on the status of a loved one.

Northern Dutchess Hospital's Emergency Center is the first hospital in Dutchess County to install a completely electronic medical record system. This innovative system tracks the status of care for every patient, from arrival to discharge- enhancing efficiency and your safety every step of the way. The wireless system features plasma screen monitoring, allowing clinicians to immediately view lab orders, x-rays and bed availability. It allows physicians, nurses and staff to communicate with greater ease. Also, prescriptions and paperwork are all printed electronically. These benefits result in reduced patient waiting time and a reduced chance for error.

Nursing Staff
Northern Dutchess Hospital's department of Emergency Medicine is staffed by registered nurses and other trained medical personnel. These professionals are trained in emergency care and are competent to handle even the most critical patients. All licensed staff are trained in advance cardiac life support for adults and pediatric patients. All staff are enthusiastic about their role in providing the best emergency care possible to patients entering our doors.

What will happen when I come into the Emergency Room?

Triage: The triage nurse is responsible for obtaining a brief medical history, taking your temperature, pulse and blood pressure. For small children and infants, a rectal temperature is taken for the most accurate information. After being triaged by the nurse, you will be taken directly to a bed and registration can be completed there. You may be asked to put on a hospital gown so the doctor may examine you. You may be attached to a monitoring device so that we can continually monitor your heart and vital signs from the nurses' station. These devices are very sensitive and may sound an alarm when you move. The Emergency Department doctor will then see you as soon as possible. However, the doctor may be delayed if more critical patients arrive unexpectedly.

Tests: The doctor will order x-rays and/or blood to be drawn. Obtaining results of tests may take time. If at any time you do not understand a specific procedure, please ask your doctor or nurse. As soon as your lab work and x-ray results are available, the doctor will explain the findings. Occasionally, an additional test may be necessary.

Treatment: Depending on your particular emergency, your treatment may be simple or complex. The treatment will be carried out by the doctor or nurse, and may consist of splints, bandages, IVs, or medications. It may take a few minutes or a couple of hours, depending on your illness or injury and the need to treat other critical patients.

Determination: The doctor will determine if you are to be discharged from the emergency department or admitted to the hospital. The emergency department doctor may speak with your family doctor or other specialist about your treatment. Sometimes calls to other doctors cause delays, especially if they are unavailable to answer our calls immediately.

Discharge: If you are discharged home, the nurse will provide you with a copy of your discharge instructions and prescriptions and answer any questions about your care of treatment.

Admission: If you are admitted to the hospital, you may have to wait for another patient to be discharged. As soon as a room is prepared, we will take you up to your room.