If you have a medical emergency, call 911.
WellStar Emergency Services teams operate in a state of readiness to treat a wide variety of conditions and illnesses. Some of the most common reasons people visit a WellStar ER are chest pain, respiratory problems, orthopedic injuries, lacerations, gastrointestinal problems, and back pain. WellStar Kennestone, WellStar Cobb and WellStar Douglas hospitals' ERs are nationally recognized and accredited Chest Pain Centers - experts in quickly managing, diagnosing and treating patients with chest pain.
Board-certified emergency medicine physicians and specially-trained nursing staff work together to provide exceptional clinical care 24/7. All of the WellStar ERs provide full-service emergency services for adults and children and have state-of-the-art technology at their fingertips. WellStar Kennestone and WellStar Cobb ERs have pediatric-friendly areas staffed by pediatricians and pediatric emergency nurses.
What to expect in the ER:
-
Triage is the place where a patient's condition is assessed by a registered nurse to determine if the patient requires immediate treatment. Vital signs are taken, a patient assessment is performed and medical history reviewed. In the triage area, the patient is given a treatment priority level based upon severity of the illness or injury. This priority level determines which patients are placed in exam rooms first.
-
The registration process gives important information to the hospital so a medical record can be created. The medical record allows the hospital to order lab tests and X-rays and provide medications and treatment. Bedside registration is done for patients with severe illness or injury or if an exam room becomes available prior to registering.
-
After triage, patients go to the waiting room until a room becomes available. In the exam room, the patient is examined by a WellStar board-certified or board-eligible ER physician. The physician discusses symptoms with the patient and performs a physical exam. Diagnostic tests, medications or treatments may be ordered. The physician will determine whether the patient needs to be admitted for further treatment or observation.
-
At discharge, a WellStar emergency nurse will explain prescriptions, educate the patient about homecare and follow-up instructions and perform discharge procedures. Every patient checks out at the discharge office, where financial counseling is provided if needed.
WellStar Urgent Care Centers
WellStar Urgent Care Centers provide treatment for minor emergencies, illnesses and injuries, including lab and X-ray services. Urgent Care Centers are open daily from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days).
WellStar ERs are located at:
WellStar Cobb Hospital
WellStar Douglas Hospital
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
WellStar Paulding Hospital
WellStar's ERs are not equipped to provide telephone advice, but to act. For medical advice, call your primary care physician or call for a physician referral.