 We have been named a Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology
Available round the clock and focused on
caring for hearts every day of the year, the Paul B. Hall Regional
Medical Center chest pain center team knows the warning signs and
delivers rapid treatment to patients in the early stages of heart
attacks. Early intervention and attention reduces strain on the heart
and creates better outcomes. In addition to helping us provide quality
care to patients with heart issues, this pinpoint focus also helps
prevent unnecessary admissions if it’s not clear if a person is
experiencing a coronary event.
Heart attacks are a leading cause of death in the U.S . Know the
symptoms and don’t wait; if you think you’re having a heart attack, call
911 immediately.
Symptoms suggestive of Acute Coronary Syndrome may include:
- Chest discomfort/pain, may perceive more as pressure or tightness than actual pain.
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center or the chest lasting several minutes or despite use of nitroglycerine.
- Chest discomfort spreading to the shoulders, neck, one or both arms or jaw.
- Chest discomfort spreading into the back or between the shoulder blades.
- Chest discomfort with dizziness, being light-headed, fainting, sweating, nausea and/or vomiting.
- Unexplained, sudden shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
Atypical presentation with Acute Coronary Syndrome may include (for patients with diabetes, post-menopausal women, elderly and/or CHF):
- Absence of any chest pain
- Neck pain/back pain/jaw pain/head pain
- Weakness
- Unexplained anxiety\
- Dyspnea (or cough), shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Syncope/dizziness, lightheadedness
- Epigastric pain
- “Tired”
- Sudden change in mental status.
The Chest Pain Center at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center focuses on
the rapid identification and diagnosis of heart attacks. Rapid response
can mean the difference between permanent heart muscle damage and
complete recovery. Our skilled cardiac care team is on duty 24 hours a
day, seven days week.
As a designated Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology
in collaboration with American Heart Association, our goal is to
significantly reduce the mortality rate of heart attack patients by
teaching the public to recognize and react to the early symptoms of a
possible heart attack, reduce the time that it takes to receive
treatment and increase the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment. Our
protocol-driven and systematic approach to patient management allows
physicians to reduce time to treatment during the critical early stages
of a heart attack, when treatments are most effective.
The American College of Cardiology's accreditation process insures
centers meet or exceed quality-of-care measures in acute cardiac
medicine.
Current wait time
Last Updated DynamicFeeds: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.| About our wait times
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30 Minute ER Pledge
What exactly is the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge?
When patients enter the Emergency Department at Paul B. Hall Regional
Medical Center, the time of their arrival will be noted. Our pledge is
that a clinical professional (physician, physician assistant or nurse
practitioner) will work diligently to have our patients initially seen
within 30 minutes of their noted arrival.
Does this mean patients will be on their way home in 30 minutes or less?
No. We will work hard to have a clinical professional initially see
our patients and begin their evaluation and treatment within 30 minutes
of their noted arrival. Depending on the nature of their illness or
injury, and the unpredictable volume of patients requiring emergency
care at any given time, the wait time and duration of each visit will
vary.
How is the timeframe of patients' visits documented for this pledge?
When a patient arrives and checks in, the time of arrival will be
noted. When the clinical professional initially sees the patient, the
time will be documented by the Emergency Department staff.
Is a 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge really necessary for an emergency room?
In many emergency rooms across the country, wait times have been
increasing. We want to assure our patients that we are dedicated to not
only offering quality care but also to working diligently to provide
that care as efficiently as possible.
When do the 30 minutes officially start?
The 30 minutes start when the patient checks in with our staff at the Emergency Room desk.
Does the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge affect how patients are prioritized?
While the goal is to initially see every patient within 30 minutes of
their noted arrival, the most severe cases will always receive
immediate attention.
How can the Emergency Department maintain quality care if speed is the priority?
It is not our objective now, nor will it ever be, to "rush" patients
through the Emergency Department. Our process improvements have been
focused on getting patients into a room as quickly as possible and
enabling the clinical professional to initially see a patient and begin
their diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.
Is the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge in effect at all times and does it apply to all ages - infants to senior citizens?
Yes.
Do I have to wait up to 30 minutes for someone to say, "May I help you?"
Absolutely not. Emergency Department staff will greet you as soon as
you come in, and a nurse will assess your condition through a triage
process. We know your time is valuable and we pledge to work diligently
to have a clinical professional initially see you within 30 minutes of
your noted arrival.
Does this cost more?
No.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
The Emergency Department (ED) average wait time is provided as an
informational service to the public. It is approximate, and based on a
rolling average that is updated four times an hour and does not
represent the actual current activity in the ER waiting room.
The ED wait time represents the time it takes from arrival until a
patient is initially seen by a Clinical Professional (Physician,
Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice Nurse). Patients are triaged
upon their arrival in the ED. They are then seen by a Clinical
Professional in an order based on their complaint, condition, and the
reason for their visit.
While many patients are initially seen by a clinical professional
within 30 minutes of their arrival, during some peak times when the
number of patients and/or trauma situations exceeds the number of
providers or beds, some patients are not initially seen within 30
minutes of their noted arrival.
Should you have any additional questions about the
30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge, please ask any of our Emergency
Department staff.
Emergency Care When and Where You Need It
Whether it is a minor injury or a life-threatening illness, the staff
of Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room is ready to
serve you and your family 24 hours a day...every day!
When you have a medical emergency, time is a precious commodity. At
Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center we know the value of time. We also
know the value of a physicians and nurses who have the training and
experience required in a modern emergency room.
At Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center our Emergency Room
is staffed by specially trained, experienced physicians 24 hours a day,
as well as qualified nurses who are on duty around the clock. These
medical professionals are dedicated to examining, diagnosing and
treating medical emergencies as professionally and as quickly as
possible, consistent with the needs of others.
Triage
Our emergecny service is coordinated by a Nurse Supervisor and a
Triage Nurse, in consultation with the on-duty physician. The word
“triage” means that a qualified, experienced medical professional will
see that the patient with the most life-threatening condition
(classified emergent) will be seen immediately. In some instances, this
may mean that a person with a cold, fever or minor cut (classified
non-urgent) may not be seen immediately upon arrival. Similarly,
patients with lacerations, higher fevers, overdoses and fractures
(classified urgent) may have to be seen before the non-urgent but after
the emergent.
This is Triage!
It is a hospital’s way of assuring you that the most serious medical
conditions will receive the attention they deserve...based on the
medical priorities at the time the patient arrives.
Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Services Department
sees more than 500 patients each week. Even with this high volume, you
are assured of quality medical care rendered in a timely manner with a
caring concept.
At Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center, the ER staff knows that
time is of the essence when an injury or illness needs immediate
attention. Likewise, we know that a patient’s time while at the hospital
is also important. In addition, the stress and anxiety of both the
patient and the family are very important to us. The average time a
patient will spend in our ER – from registration to discharge –is
approximately an hour and 40 minutes. Longer than you would like to
stay, we know, but significantly shorter that that experienced in some
other hospitals.
Pediatric trauma room
Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room has the only
designated pediatric trauma room in the area, with scaled-down
equipment, instruments and drug dosages for children and infants. This
room was designed with the pediatric patient in mind.
State-of-the-art equipment
In addition to our qualified staff and spacious treatment rooms, our
ER is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment which permits our staff
to make informed immediate decisions on the care and treatment required
and better monitoring of this care.
With the PRO-MED on line data system, based on national standards
nurses are able to immediately order necessary tests. The department is
also equipped with datascopes, allowing better vital statistic
monitoring for current and future patient care.
The personal touch
However, in the final analysis it is the personal touch – a caring,
concerned staff of local professionals who know and live among you and
your family – which makes the difference in a medical emergency and the
treatment provided at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center.
That’s why we are HERE...for YOU, YOUR FAMILY and YOUR HEALTH!
Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Minor illnesses can often wait, but some symptoms always demand
immediate medical attention. These can include things like head
injuries, high fevers and signs of heart attack or stroke.
Recognizing Serious Illness or Injury
Fainting, fevers greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit in infants and
105 degrees in older children and adults, severe pain anywhere in the
body, and significant vomiting and diarrhea require immediate
evaluation. In terms of injuries, head injuries — especially those
accompanied by loss of consciousness and/or vomiting — and deep wounds
causing unmanageable bleeding are best managed in the ER.
Heart Attacks and Strokes
A heart attack is often recognized by symptoms such as chest pain,
shortness of breath and upper-body discomfort, while stroke symptoms can
include severe headache, disorientation, difficulty walking and/or
speaking, and weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
But there are lesser-known signs of heart attacks and strokes that
you might not be aware of. Women’s heart attack and stroke symptoms
often differ from those experienced by men. Fatigue and nausea are
common heart attack symptoms in women, while women’s stroke symptoms may
include chest pain, heart palpitations, nausea and shortness of breath,
according to the National Stroke Association.
The Bottom Line
Although the symptoms mentioned above are commonly associated with
medical emergencies, you know your body best and should always feel
comfortable seeking emergency medical care any time you experience
unusual or concerning symptoms. This will not only set your mind at
ease, but also ensure you have quick access to potentially lifesaving
medical care, if needed.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Are You Having A Heart Attack?
In the movies, signs of a heart attack seem straightforward and
dramatic. In real life, heart attack symptoms can happen anywhere on
your body- not just in your chest. They can vary in intensity and are
often different for men and women. It’s important to know what to watch
for. If you experience these symptoms and think you are having a heart
attack, seek immediate emergency medical help by dialing 911.
- Chest: pressure, aching, burning sensation, shortness of breath, fullness, squeezing or rapid heart rate
- Arms: heaviness, weakness, aching, numbness, pinching, pain, prickling or discomfort
- Back: pain, usually between the shoulder blades
- Shoulders, neck and jaw: aching, pain, prickling or discomfort
- Abdomen: nausea, pain or indigestion
- Head: dizziness, anxiety, memory loss, trouble concentrating, lightheadedness or confusion
- All over: unusual fatigue, sweating, weakness, flu-like symptoms, feeling overheated or sleep disturbances
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Are You Having a Stroke?
According to the National Stroke Association, a stroke is the leading
cause of death in the U.S., and the leading cause of serious, long-term
adult disability. This year, a stroke will occur every 40 seconds and
will take a life every four hours. Two million brain cells die every
minute during stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage,
disability or death.
Recognizing symptoms and acting F.A.S.T. can save a life and decrease the chances of permanent disabilities.
Know the symptoms:
- Confusion or difficulty speaking/understanding
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sudden loss of vision
- Sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face or on one side of the body
- Sudden severe headache
- Unexplained dizziness and/or loss of balance
Act F.A.S.T.
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Sepsis Certification.
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What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is your body’s overwhelming response to infection or injury, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, amputations, and death.
Who is at Risk?
Sepsis is more likely to affect very young children, elderly, and people with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems.
What are the Symptoms?
There is not a single sign or symptom of sepsis, it is a combination and may include any of the following:
S-Shivering, fever, or very cold
E- Extreme pain or discomfort
P- Pale or discolored skin
S- Sleepy, difficult to arouse
I- “I feel like I might die.”
S- Short of breath
If you have a combination of these symptoms, especially if you have had recent surgery or a recent infection, see your physician immediately, call 9-1-1, or come to Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room.
What Causes Sepsis?
Sepsis is caused by an infection. The infection can be viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic.
How is Sepsis Prevented?
While Sepsis can’t always be prevented, practicing good hand-washing and staying current with vaccinations (i.e. influenza and pneumonia vaccines) have been proven to decrease the risk.
Sepsis Facts:
• Sepsis affects over 30 million people worldwide each year.
• The risk of dying from sepsis increases by 8% each hour treatment is delayed.
• 270,000 people die in the United States each year from Sepsis (One person every 2 minutes).
Sepsis is a Medical Emergency. If you suspect Sepsis, call 9-1-1 immediately.
REFERENCE: www.cdc.gov/pubs
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