In March 2008, Longmont United Hospital opened the doors to a new emergency department increasing capacity to approximately 45,000 patients each year. Within the emergency department, CAT scan, Digital Radiology, and a laboratory reside which will speed the process of diagnosing your health concern. A two suite cardiac catheterization lab is accessible for diagnosis and intervention 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Longmont United Hospital’s Emergency Department is a Level III trauma center which can provide emergency resuscitation, intensive care, and surgery for many trauma patients. Patients with exceptionally severe injuries are transferred by helicopter or ambulance to hospitals that are a Level I or II trauma center.
When you arrive
A medical professional will listen to your health concern in a triage room to direct the appropriate level of care based on the severity of your illness or injury. Once admitted into the treatment area, an emergency nurse or physician assistant will be the primary person to keep you informed about your care.
In order to care for you more effectively, the Emergency Department staff may call the doctor who is most familiar with your health or a consultant for unique health concerns. Response from these doctors may take up to one hour. In the meantime, your emergency nurse will keep you informed of your status as frequently as possible.
Testing, testing, testing
Depending on your health concern, you may need to have laboratory tests, X-rays or even a CAT scan to determine your immediate health condition. We are able to perform some diagnostic tests from your bedside and retrieve the results within 10 minutes. Diagnostic tests typically performed are blood, glucose, and cardio.
If you have a question
….ask. No matter what it is, it is important for you to know what is going on with your care and to learn about your health. After all, you are the most important member of the team and you need to be involved in any decisions about your illness or injury.
If you need an x-ray, a CT scan, or other special x-ray, you will need to be moved/transported from the Emergency Department to the radiology area. Completing the exam can take several hours. Getting laboratory results or calling in consultants to see you can take up to one hour. In the meantime, the Emergency Department staff will keep you informed of your status as often as possible.
We want to know if you have a concern so we can make things right and meet your needs as quickly as possible.