Greenwich Hospital Emergency Department

Will I be able to have my family with me?
Visitors are allowed in the Emergency Department and we encourage your family to be with you. If you need help to phone a family member, please ask our staff or a volunteer. Remember that the ED is a busy place, so the number of visitors may be limited. Visitors should remain at your bedside. For the comfort and privacy of our patients, visitors may be asked to leave during certain tests or procedures.

Will I be able to eat or drink while I am here?
Some tests require that you do not eat or drink. Please check with your nurse before you eat or drink anything. If you are with us at a mealtime, and are hungry and allowed to eat, the staff will gladly order you a meal. Your family may visit the Nutmeg Grill located on the ground floor of the hospital. It is open from 6am to 12 midnight every day.

What should I do with my belongings?
You are responsible for your belongings, including clothing, purse or wallet, dentures and glasses. You may want to give them to family or friends for safekeeping. A “belongings bag” is provided at the foot of each stretcher for your convenience.

What happens in the treatment area?
You will be asked questions about your medical history and then undergo a physical examination. Tests may be ordered, such as blood work, x-rays, or a CT scan.

Our electronic patient tracking system allows our diagnostic imaging staff to immediately see and respond to exam requests.

Child Friendly Emergency Care
Greenwich Hospital's Emergency Department physicians are all board certified in emergency medicine and experienced in pediatric emergency care. Specially trained pediatric nurse practitioners are also on hand. For infant care, the ED can call on Dr. Toni Salvatore, director of the Pediatric Center, as well as on the hospital's own team of neonatal and pediatric subspecialists.

Since most pediatric emergencies fall into the “minor” category, young patients often receive care in the ED's Fast Track area. Equipment in treatment rooms is geared to children. Smaller devices are available for pulse, blood pressure and other exams. Specialized carts hold emergency medications that are sorted and color-coded for instant identification, so children can quickly receive the correct dosage based on their weight and size.

Extra friendly touches include children's design bandages, light snacks, stickers, coloring books and video games. Children's emergencies are scary for children and parents. Greenwich Hospital ED staff makes sure to explain everything ahead of time– why they are doing a particular test, what the next steps will probably be. Keeping parents informed and involved enhances their sense of being in control. And when they feel less anxious, so does their child.

What happens when I'm discharged?
Your caregivers will discuss your discharge plans with you. Specific instructions for follow-up care will be given to you in writing along with any needed prescriptions. If you have any questions about your care or instructions, be sure to ask.

Also at the time of discharge, a co-payment process is set up for your convenience.

Once you have left the Emergency Department, fill your prescription as soon as possible and follow the instructions for taking them.

Before you leave, make sure you have the following:

• Written discharge instructions
• Prescription orders, if needed
• Your belongings
• All your questions answered!

What happens if I need to be admitted to Greenwich Hospital?
If your primary care doctor is on Greenwich Hospital's medical staff, the emergency physician will contact your doctor to discuss your case and why you need to be admitted. Your physician or your physician's covering doctor may directly manage your care themselves or they may collaborate with a hospitalist on the Greenwich Hospital staff. Hospitalists are fully-trained primary care physicians who specialize in the care of patients admitted to the hospital. It is important to discuss with your primary care physician whether hospitalists will be part of your care team if you are admitted.

If you do not have a primary care physician on our medical staff, a hospitalist will oversee your medical treatment during your stay.

Greenwich Hospital is a teaching hospital. Residents, or physicians in training, may also be involved in your care.

How will I be charged?
Greenwich Hospital charges for the use of the emergency facility and for the services of hospital physicians and physicians' assistants. The hospital also charges for X-ray, laboratory and pharmacy services and for medical supplies.

Consultants are available 24-hours a day and may be called in at the discretion of the emergency physician. Most are private practitioners and not employees of Greenwich Hospital. All consultants, including radiologists, send a separate bill.

For more information, see the Billing section of this web site.

Let us hear from you.
We want you to feel you received very good care, so that you feel confident coming to Greenwich Hospital and recommending us to others. We encourage you to share both positive and negative comments with any member of our team. If we have not met your expectations, please let your caregivers know before you leave.

If you should have any questions after you go home, we are here to help. For non-emergency questions call (203) 863-3639.