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EMS team outside of Altru's Emergency Room.

Emergency Services

Our dedicated team of highly trained medical professionals is available 24/7 to provide immediate and comprehensive care for all types of emergencies. Whether you’re facing a minor injury or a critical health crisis, our state-of-the-art facilities and compassionate staff ensure you receive the best possible treatment. 

Patient Care Process 

  • Check-in at registration desk
    • Necessary information will be collected.
  • Visit triage
    • Severity of your condition will be evaluated, and next steps will be determined.
  • Exam room
    • Tests may be performed based on your symptoms. You may be asked to return to the waiting room while results are pending, unless we have a room readily available. 
  • Next steps
    • The Emergency Room provider will review and determine the next steps in your care. Depending on your results, there would likely be one of three different routes for your next step in care:
      • Discharge home
      • Admission to the hospital
      • Transfer out of the facility

Why Can the Wait Be so Long?

Across the United States emergency departments are experiencing overcrowding. This can 
lead to longer wait times. We understand that waiting can be frustrating, especially when 
you’re not feeling well. Our team is working hard to take care of every patient here, as you are 
very important to us.

Leaving Without Being Seen

If you’ve been waiting a long time, you may feel tempted to leave the Emergency Department before you have received care. You have the right to do this, but we strongly discourage it. Leaving the ED without being seen can be a serious, perhaps life-threatening decision.

If you decide to leave, we ask that you please notify the registration clerk or triage nurse.

If you need emergency medical care, please call 911. To contact Altru's Emergency Room, please call 701.780.5000.