What to Expect in the Emergency Department

While visiting the Emergency Department (ED) can understandably be stressful, knowing what to expect can make the experience less intimidating.

Here’s a guide to help you navigate the ED process with more confidence.

Care Begins at the Door

Your journey at the Emergency Department begins with registration and triage. This is our way of understanding your needs and how severe your illness is compared to others so we can plan and prioritize your care.

While you wait, our experts are busy behind the scenes, reviewing your chart to determine what tests or treatments you need and what kind of room, equipment and people can best deliver that care.

We follow standard triage protocols and see patients in order of severity. Therefore, your estimated wait time may change if more severe patients arrive after you. Please be assured that every emergency is important to us, however we must address the most life-threatening cases first.

Some steps such as lab work, imaging and comfort measures can begin without waiting for a room or a provider. We may start those services as soon as they become available and then return you to the waiting room so you can wait more comfortably for your results.

Getting your tests done and your results back before you see a provider means they will have the information they need to quickly diagnose and treat you. In a best-case scenario, these early steps can shave off so much time that you may only need a few minutes with the provider, and then you’re on your way!

We typically care for multiple patients at a time. While this may mean we’re not always in your room or at your side, it shortens wait times and total visit times significantly. Even when you don’t see us, we are monitoring your progress through your chart and will move you to the next step as soon as possible.

If your condition changes or you need something while you’re waiting, please use your call button or speak to the receptionist to let us know.

How Long Does an Emergency Visit Take?

The median length of stay for emergency rooms nationwide is about 240 minutes (four hours) from arrival to discharge. However, thanks to innovative facility design, rapid assessment and fast-tracking methods, many of MyMichigan's Emergency Departments are much faster than the national median (as low as 109 minutes.)

By definition, some visits will take longer than the median. This is especially true if there is a sudden surge in patients, if more severe patients arrive by ambulance, if you need certain tests or overnight observation, or if you are waiting to be admitted to a hospital room or specialized facility for follow-up care.

If a few hours or more seems like a long time to spend in an Emergency Department, it may help to keep in mind that you are condensing several days or even weeks of care into a single visit! In a non-emergency situation, you might need to book several separate appointments on different dates to complete all those same tests and treatments as an outpatient.

What Happens Next?

Emergency Departments specialize in life-threatening situations rather than routine or chronic care. Our goal is to make you safe and comfortable and then help you quickly return home and back to your normal activities as soon as possible.

Due to our special focus on emergencies, you won’t always have a final diagnosis or treatment plan by the time you leave the Emergency Department. This is normal; however, we will guide you to the next steps in your care so you can get the answers and relief that you are seeking.

More than 90 percent of the time, patients can go home once their emergency is over and their condition is stable.

If your condition is ongoing but no longer an emergency, we may refer you back to your primary care provider or to other medical specialists for follow-up. We will let you know if you need to schedule a follow up visit within a certain time, or if you can simply see your doctor on your regular schedule.

On the other hand, we may need to admit you to a hospital or other facility for further testing, observation, therapy, surgery, or other specialized care. Your care team will clearly explain your options and help you make the best choices for you.

Final Thoughts

While an ED visit can feel chaotic, understanding the steps involved—from triage to treatment—can ease anxiety and make the process smoother. Remember, the goal of the Emergency Department is to provide prompt, lifesaving care to those who need it most.