About Us
Welcome to the AMNCH Emergency Department
The Emergency Department of the Adelaide & Meath Hospital is one of the largest in the country with an annual attendance of almost 80,000 patients per year, of which 50,000 per year are adults and the remaining 30,000 are children's attendances. The department is staffed by a very dedicated team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals and we see a broad case mix of undifferentiated patients.
The Emergency Department is bright and modern with a separately streamed adult and paediatric emergency service and is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
On arrival Patients register at the reception desk and are then assessed by the triage nurse and assigned a Triage Category depending on the urgency of their condition. Critically ill patients are seen immediately in the resuscitation area. All other Patients are streamed to one of two areas, Zone 1 /Majors or Zone 2/Ambulatory Care where they are assessed and managed by a member of the ED medical and nursing team. Patients may then be either discharged or referred for admission to the hospital.
Patients may also be admitted under the Care of one of the Emergency Medicine Consultants to the Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) which is located in the ED.
Our Team
The Emergency Department is staffed by a team of Medical, Nursing and Ancillary staff
Medical
- Emergency Medicine Consultants
- Specialist Registrars
- Registrars
- Senior House Officers
- Interns
Nursing
- Clinical Nurse Managers
- Advanced Nurse Practitioners
- Staff Nurses
- Health Care Assistants
Ancillary Staff
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Social Workers
- Psychitric Liaison
- Community Intervention Team
- Porters
- Ward Clerks
- Clerical
Patient Information
To make your attendance as easy as possible, we have compiled some information that you may need to know during your time in the Department.
Registration and Assessment
All patients must first register at the Registration Desk and give details such as name, date of birth, address etc. Please note that a Emergency Department charge of €100 is payable for a visit to the department, unless you have a referral leter from a registered medical practitioner or are the holder of a valid medical card Read More
Following this you will be directed to the Waiting Room where the Triage Nurse will call you. You will then be assessed and assigned to an area and seen in order of urgency.
There are three main areas
- Zone 1 (Majors)
- Zone 2 (Ambulatory Care)
- Resuscitation
Zone 1
This consists of 9 cubicles and is used for the assessment and treatment of patients who may require monitoring and possible admission.
Zone 2
There are 4 cublicles in Zone 2 and this is used for patients who do not require monitoring and who are less likely to require admission. Those requiring admission will generally be transferred to the Majors area.
Resuscitation
Any patient who requires immediate attention are brought to the Resuscitation Area. These patient demand immediate attention from our medical staff, which can cause delays for other patients waiting to be seen in the department.
Waiting Times
One of the most frequent questions that we are asked relates to how long you may be waiting to be seen. Due to the unpredictable nature of the Department, the answer to this is not a simple or striaghtforward one and can change in the course of minutes. We are therefore unable to give any waiting times.
Treatment
While patients are in the Emergency Department, they will be seen and treated by one of our medical professionals. Once seen and treated, patients may be discharged from the Department, referred on to an in-patient team or in certain cases, be admitted to our Clinical Decision Unit.
If the patient is seen by an in-patient team, they may be discharged or admitted under their care. When this occurs, the patient will need to wait until the bed is available and once the particular type of bed the patient requires becomes available, the patient will be sent to the Ward.
Visiting Times
Visitors are welcome within areas of the Department during certain times. The welfare of patients within the Emergency Department will always be paramount and dependent on this, visiting may be restricted.
Visiting arrangements are as follows:
Zone 1 (Majors) | 1 visitor per patient only |
Zone 2 (Ambulatory Care) | Visitors at the discretion of the Nursing Staff |
Admitted Patients | 2 Visitors per patient only at the following times: 2.00pm - 4.00pm 7.00pm - 8.30pm These times are subject to change. Check with security on your arrival |
- Visitors must never bring alcohol or recreational drugs to patients
- Please check with nursing staff before giving patients any food or drink
- Flowers are restricted in the department for Health and Safety reasons
- The hospital has a strict no smoking policy
Medicines
Please bring an updated list of all medication with you to the Department. If you bring any medicines with you from home, please give them to the nursing staff and check with them before taking any of your own medication.
Infection Control
The most effective way of controlling the spread of infection is to ensure that you keep your hands clean, by washing them or using the alcohol gel that is provided.
Visitors are asked not to attend if they are suffering from colds, flu or other infections, in order to avoid bringing infections into the Department.
Medical Certificates
Medical certificates, if required, should be obtained prior to leaving the Department. Please have your PPS number with you for completion of Social Welfare Certificates.
Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Care Department operates on an inter-denominational basis, provising a full pastoral care service to patients, families and staff. The care team supports people of all faiths.
Social Work
The Social Work Department provides a confidential service to all patients, their families and carers. The Department is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and is situated on the ground floor of the main hospital. A liaison social worker is in the Emergency Department during these hours.
Hygiene
Cleaning staff are available within the Department, so if you notice anything of concern, please do not hesitate to contact a member of staff regarding this.
Public Payphones
Public payphones are available in the Waiting Room.
Vending Machine
Vending machines are located in the waiting room. Please note that these are not operated by the ED.
ATM
There is an ATM machine located at the bank in the main foyer of the hospital.
Security
As well as having security officers patrolling and posted within the ED, the Depatment is also monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV.
Taxis
There is a Taxi Rank located near the main entrance to the hosptial. Please note that Registration Staff are not authorised to ring for taxis for patients. The public payphones that are located in the waiting room can be used for this purpose.
