About Emergency Department

The Emergency Department at Catholic Medical Center is committed to creating an atmosphere of quality care and efficient service. We are a Level III Adult Trauma Center and Level IV Pediatric Trauma Center, with 30 treatment rooms and dedicated areas for trauma, cardiac, stroke, and pediatric patients. The Emergency Department features modern emergency medicine equipment and state-of-the-art bedside monitoring capabilities.

Our Staff
Our Emergency Department is staffed by physicians certified by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Our nursing staff is certified in Basic and Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and the Trauma Nursing Core Curriculum. The Emergency Department Paramedic Staff hold the same certifications as our nursing staff in addition to International Trauma Life Support.

What can I expect from the Emergency Services Provided?
Emergency Department Sign The Emergency Department at Catholic Medical Center is a full-service unit prepared to serve acutely ill or injured persons. When a patient arrives at the Emergency Department, either a trained emergency nurse or paramedic will meet the ambulance service or greet you and ask you the reason for your visit. The severity of your illness or injury you are experiencing will determine when you will be seen by the emergency services team. If the triage nurse or paramedic determines it is necessary for you to be treated immediately, you will be brought directly into an examination room. Otherwise, the nurse or paramedic will complete the assessment and direct you to a registration clerk, who will begin a computerized record. Patients previously treated at Catholic Medical Center will already be in the computer system. Questions for first time patients will include information about your primary care physician, employer and health insurance.

Treatment Room & Evaluation
When a patient enters a treatment room, the nurse will continue evaluating the illness or injury by asking further questions, checking physical condition and beginning the test process, such as X-rays and blood tests. As soon as they are available, one of our emergency physicians or nurse practitioners will examine you. Although some of their questions may seem similar to the nurse’s questions, it is important for the physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner to develop his/her own evaluation of your illness or injury. Following the exam, additional tests or treatments may be ordered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why all the paperwork? Doesn’t this delay being treated?
Unless a person is unconscious or has been transferred by way of ambulance or helicopter, he or she will need to sign a consent form authorizing appropriate medical treatment. For those persons under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian is required to complete and sign this paperwork.

Creating a record of your visit begins with the registration process. You will be asked for personal health information, family medical history and medical insurance information. To make this process quick and easy, please remember to bring a list of medications you are currently taking, as well as the dosage taken, the name of your primary care provider, your insurance card and insurance information and a list of allergies you have. After the visit, the Emergency Department at Catholic Medical Center will notify your primary care provider so they may follow through with any discharge care instructions.
How and when is payment exchanged for treatment received?
If complete insurance information is provided at the time of registration, the insurance provider will be sent a bill. Most insurance providers have a co-pay for emergency care which will be indicated on your insurance card. You are responsible for the balance due after the insurance provider’s payment is made. If you do not have insurance, a credit account representative will contact you to set up a fair and reasonable payment schedule.
During a patient’s time in the Emergency Department, will visitors be allowed?
Generally, the number of visitors allowed in the Emergency Department treatment area is kept to a minimum. This allows the Emergency Department team sufficient space to do their jobs quickly and efficiently. It also ensures you are receiving the best medical care as well as maintains an appropriate level of privacy. Two waiting areas are available in the Emergency Department to provide comfort and quiet for family members, friends or relatives.
What if I have questions?
You should not hesitate to ask questions of those directly involved in your care. The more you know about your diagnosis, medication or treatment, the better. The Emergency Department team is committed to helping you understand your medical issues and the suggested course of treatment. It is equally important you understand your prescribed follow-up care.
What happens when a visit turns into an admission to the hospital?
In some cases, you may be admitted to Catholic Medical Center for further treatment. If this is the case, the Emergency Department team will work with your primary care provider. In some cases, Catholic Medical Center’s hospitalists may be called in to oversee care.
What about minor illnesses or injury? Is this handled differently?
The CMC Emergency Department is designed to also treat patients with minor, non-urgent injuries or illness. There is a separate area staffed for faster evaluation and treatment. Highly trained and experienced nurse practitioners, nurses and paramedics work in close consultation with the emergency physicians on duty.
What happens after a visit to the Emergency Department?
During your time in the Emergency Department, additional tests may be taken. Once a diagnosis is made and a treatment course has been prescribed, it is essential you understand the next steps. Discharge instructions will provide you with the appropriate follow-up care or medication prescribed. If you do not understand the discharge instructions or have additional questions, please ask. You are responsible for your own care after you leave the Emergency Department. We make every effort to follow through with your primary care provider to notify them of a visit but it is strongly recommended you arrange a follow up appointment as well.

In some cases, you may need assistance from a family member or friend to assist you in your safe return home. If you need additional assistance, please ask. Our staff wants to ensure patients return home safely and enjoy good health. Let us help you.

Proof of Excellence

CMC and our staff have earned the following awards.

Award		Award Description

		CMC Receives Full Accreditation for 3 Years with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer The Commission on Cancer (CoC) is a nationally recognized multidisciplinary accreditation program. By working with its national partners, the CoC has developed comprehensive, patient-centered standards for cancer programs.

		2013: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire has designated Catholic Medical Center as a Blue Distinction® Center for Spine Surgery(SM). Blue Distinction® Centers are hospitals recognized for their expertise in delivering specialty care. For more information please visit http://www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.*

		2013: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire has designated Catholic Medical Center as a Blue Distinction® Center for Knee and Hip Replacement (SM). Blue Distinction® Centers are hospitals recognized for their expertise in delivering specialty care. For more information please visit http://www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction .*


		America's 100 Best Hospital for Cardiac Care and Coronary Intervention. The New England Heart Institute at Catholic Medical Center delivers patient results that meet high standards and criteria for cardiac excellence. Source: HealthGrades, a national leader for physician information and hospital quality ratings. HealthGrades analyzes data from all of the nation's 5,000 non-federal hospitals, and its free website is searched by 200 million healthcare consumers a year.

		First hospital in the state to perform a mechanical heart/left ventricular assist device implant.

		First hospital in the state for neonatal unit based on "couplet care, a philosophy and care model that keeps mother and baby together in large nurturing suites and state-of-the-art monitoring technologies.

		Top 10% in the nation for patient satisfaction. Determined by the analysis of survey data from 3,837 U.S. hospitals. Awarded hospitals must meet bed size, survey response size and clinical quality thresholds in order to be eligible for the award. Source: HealthGrades, a national leader for physician information and hospital quality ratings. HealthGrades analyzes data from all of the nation's 5,000 non-federal hospitals, and its free website is searched by 200 million healthcare consumers a year.

		Bariatric Center of Excellence designation for Obesity Treatment Center

		‘Top Performer on Key Quality Measures™’ Recognition from The Joint Commission CMC was recognized for its achievement on the following measure sets: Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia, and Surgical Care.

		Catholic Medical Center receives Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Silver Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes CMC’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

		CMC receives a 3 star rating by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has developed a comprehensive rating system for the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country. Approximately 12-15% of hospitals received the 3 star rating which denotes the highest category of care. Since January 2010 the cardiac surgery performance of our hospital was found to lie in the highest quality tier, thereby receiving an STS 3 star rating.

		Named to Harvard Pilgrim's 2012 Hospital Honor Roll The Hospital Honor Roll names those hospitals whose performance was among the top 25% of those measured nationally on a set of composite quality metrics. The metrics evaluate clinical process of care, patient experience and patient safety and are based on CMC Hospital Compare and Leapfrog data.

^{*Blue Distinction® Centers met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. Blue Distinction® Centers+ also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Individual outcomes may vary. National criteria is displayed on www.bcbs.com. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area. To find out which services and providers (including hospital based physicians) are covered under your policy, or to learn about Local Blue Plan Criteria, contact your Local Blue Plan; and contact your provider before making an appointment to verify its current Network and Blue Distinction Centers status. Each hospital’s Cost Index is calculated separately, based on data from its Local Blue Plan. Hospitals in portions of CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in areas served by two Local Blue Plans, resulting in two Cost Index figures; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether all hospitals in these areas must meet Blue Distinction Centers+ national criteria for one or both Cost Index figures. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for damages, losses, or non-covered charges resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers. To find out more, contact your Local Blue Plan.}