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Caring for Your Emergencies
In addition to treating a wide range of medical emergencies, Harris Methodist Walls' Emergency Department has developed protocols to efficiently handle patients who need advanced critical care. These protocols help patients receive the specialized medical care they need, including transfer to other advanced medical facilities when necessary.
'If a transfer is needed, we contact the Texas Health Resources' Transfer Line, and arrangements are made to transport the patient to the closest appropriate facility based on the patient's needs,' says Natalie Carpenter, B.S.N., C.E.N., Emergency Department and Nursing Administration manager for Harris Methodist Walls. 'We care about the people in our community, and strive to treat each person with dignity and respect.'
Advanced Care
From caring for asthma attacks and broken bones, to performing emergency surgery, the Emergency Department is capable of treating a variety of patients in an efficient manner. However, for more advanced emergency situations, the Harris Methodist Walls Emergency Department has the equipment available to diagnose potential heart attacks, strokes and other acute coronary symptoms.
Once diagnosed, emergency physicians can begin initial treatment to stabilize the patient, if necessary, before transporting him or her to an advanced care facility.
Recent Renovations
To better serve patients, Harris Methodist Walls renovated the Emergency Department last year to a total space of nearly 11,000 square feet with 17 patient beds. Improvements include:
• Dual nursing stations that allow for treatment of non life-threatening injuries and illnesses and are designed to increase efficiency.
• Tracking system for staff members to locate patients who have been moved to another area of the Emergency Department.
• New trauma rooms and observation areas.
Know When to Go
When an unexpected illness or injury occurs, you need to quickly decide whether to call your physician or head to the Emergency Department.
The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends you visit the Emergency Department if you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms:
• Changes in vision
• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
• Confusion or changes in mental status
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Difficulty speaking
• Fainting, sudden dizziness or weakness
• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Sudden or severe pain
• Suicidal thoughts
• Uncontrolled bleeding
For more information about Emergency Services at Harris Methodist Walls, visit
www.texashealth.org/hmwr. (Summer 2008)
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