Grande Ronde Hospital | Life & Health | Winter 2018-2019

Grande Ronde Hospital 900 Sunset Drive La Grande, OR 97850 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 LIFE AND HEALTH is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL, 900 Sunset Drive, La Grande, OR 97850. Jeremy P. Davis, MHA President/CEO Wendy Roberts Senior Director ofAdministrative Services, CommunityBenefitsOfficer Mardi Ford Director, Communications&Marketing; Public Information Officer Information in LIFE AND HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2018 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. When you go to most places where you need assistance—like the department of motor vehicles, for example—you take a number and wait your turn. You expect to be helped in the order in which you arrived. You might think something similar will happen if you seek medical care at our Emergency Department. But that’s not the case. A process known as triage determines who sees the provider first—and how long you’ll likely wait. Establishing priorities Typically, triage is done by one of our nurses. He or she will talk to you about your symptoms and assess your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and temperature to help determine the severity of your condition. Often the nurse will gather other information too. He or she might ask about your medical history, for example. The nurse might also talk to you about allergies you have and any medicines you take. The goal of this process is simple: to determine whose health is most in jeopardy and to make sure those patients get help immediately. That means a provider is likely to see someone with chest pain who could be having a heart attack before someone with an ankle sprain or minor cut—even if the heart attack patient was the last to arrive. Everyone matters Our Emergency Department works diligently to see everyone who needs care as quickly as possible. But be aware: True emergencies always have top priority. If your condition is not life- threatening, you may have to wait. But every patient is very important to us and will get the attention he or she deserves. + HERE FOR YOU! We’re always available for care. Our Emergency Department is open 24/7. What to know about our system for emergencies Who is treated first?