Emergency Services
We are the only Level II adult trauma center in Snohomish County and are well prepared to handle complex emergencies. Acute care surgeons, adult and pediatric hospitalists and intensivists are here round-the-clock. Other key specialists, such as anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons and orthopedists are just a call away if you need their services.
When you first arrive at the emergency department, we’ll register you and get your consent for treatment. A triage nurse will evaluate your illness or injury to determine how quickly a doctor should see you. Keep in mind, we treat patients by order of urgency. This means someone who arrives after you may receive treatment before you if their condition is more urgent. We do strive to keep wait times to a minimum.
Our emergency department expertly treats all kinds of illnesses and injuries, including ones that can be life-threatening or cause serious complications, including:
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop
- Changes in vision
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath that’s worse than usual
- Difficulty speaking
- Fainting, sudden dizziness or weakness
- Fever of 104 degrees or higher in a baby younger than 6 months
- Heart attack or severe chest pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Medically necessary detoxification
- Prolonged or persistent headache
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Severe or unusual abdominal pain
- Stroke, sudden paralysis or slurred speech
- Sudden confusion or changes in mental status
- Sudden or severe pain
- Suicidal feelings
If you have any of these symptoms, go immediately to the nearest emergency department or call 911.
For conditions that are urgent but not life-threatening — such as minor burns or cuts; ear, eye or sinus infections; sports injuries or sprains; rashes; sore throats; coughs and colds — we recommend visiting a walk-in clinic instead of the emergency department so that you can get treated as quickly as possible.
Usually one family member or friend can be with you in your treatment room. We may ask that person to step out while we examine you or begin your treatment. With your permission, we’ll keep your loved ones updated.
If your doctor decides to admit you to the hospital, we’ll move you to a room as soon as one is available. A hospitalist or other doctor will then guide your care during your stay.
If you don’t need to be admitted, we’ll discharge you with instructions for home care and follow-up with your personal doctor.
We have X-ray machines and CT scanners in the emergency department that are state-of-the art and limit your radiation exposure.
For your safety, the emergency department is a secured area. We allow authorized access only. Visitors must check in at the front desk and ask to see you. Once inside the treatment area, we ask that they remain at your bedside and respect other patients’ privacy.
Our goal in the emergency department is to help you as quickly as possible and keep you and your family comfortable. With this in mind, there are several things we’d like you to know.
If you have trouble understanding or speaking English, you may request an interpreter to help communicate with emergency department staff. Call 1-888-574-7127.
Because the emergency department is a busy, often crowded space, we usually allow only one family member or friend in the room with you. We ask others to wait in the lobby. Note that we don’t allow visitors under the age of 12.
Family members are invited to visit our cafeterias for sustenance and snacks.
Northern Edge Café – Colby Campus
Open: 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Breakfast: 6:30 - 10 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Dinner: 4 - 8 p.m.
The Bistro – Cymbaluk Medical Tower, Colby Campus
Open: 6:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
If you are concerned about paying for your emergency department visit, we encourage you to visit one of our friendly financial counselors. They are available every day outside the waiting area from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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