Pages - ER+ Emergency Services

You do not plan to visit the emergency department. It just happens, and usually when you least expect it. At Hill Regional Hospital, we practice a philosophy of emergency care called ER+, which helps further our goal that you will receive quality medical care as quickly and professionally as possible.

Hill Regional Hospital is a Trauma Level IV unit that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing medical care and treatment for persons with minor and major injuries or illnesses. We understand that when a person enters the Emergency Department it can be a time of extreme distress and concerns. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding Assessment and Priority:

How does ER decide who is treated first?
A patient is triaged (a screening process that prioritizes the severity of one’s condition) to promptly identify patients who are critical and need immediate treatment by a physician

This process is determined by the degree of urgency which has three categories:
1. Emergent
2. Urgent
3. Non-Urgent
Emergent is the highest priority- The ER physician is notified immediately. The patient is immediately assessed and interviewed. Vital signs are obtained. The ER physician will direct the emergency care to treat, stabilize or transfer.

Urgent is secondary priority-After triage and nursing assessment, the ER nurse will notify the ER physician to perform the medical screening examination including additional services.

Non-Urgent-the lowest priority-Which is non-acute or minor in severity, for which treatment may be delayed according to the status of other patients entering ER.

If you are urgent or non-urgent patient and are in the process of treatment AND an emergent patient arrives at that time, your assessment and/or treatment may be slightly delayed.
What are some other delays I could expect?
If after assessment, the doctor feels you may need x-rays or lab tests, this could substantially delay your discharge time.
When all I need is medication, why must I wait?
Often, when any medication is given, the ER physician may have you stay a while to monitor you and make sure all is going well before he releases you from care.
The hospital has a pharmacy. Why can’t they fill my prescription?
Hill Regional Hospital is not a retail pharmacy, and by state law, we cannot fill and/or sell drugs to an outpatient.
If a child comes in without a parent, but has an adult or relative with them, can they still receive treatment?
The child will always be treated if it is a life and death situation, otherwise, by law, the accompanying adult must have written or telephone permission from the parent for the child to receive treatment.
When I am ready for dismissal, what should I expect from the nursing staff and doctors?
You will receive discharge and follow-up instruction from the nurse or ER doctor. Be sure to ask any question you may have about a prescription you receive or about your care. The staff is there to serve your needs and concerns.
I wish to voice my view on Hill Regional Hospital’s ER. What can I do?
As part of your admissions in ER, you are handed an ER+ survey asking specific questions regarding your care. Your input and opinion on these confidential surveys are important to us. We encourage you to take time to fill out this survey.

If you should have any follow-up question, please feel free to call 254-580-8911.

Outpatient Medicare Patients Notice:

Items not covered by Medicare include "self-administered" drugs. Basically, Medicare even when used in hospital outpatient settings such as the emergency room, outpatient surgery or observation does not cover drugs that can be taken in pill form, drops, sprays, lotions, or inhalents. You may be familiar with this rule because you are not reimbursed for prescription drugs, even though they may be medically necessary.

Since Medicare considers these types of drugs non-covered they fall under the "general exclusions" section of the Medicare guidelines. This means that you will receive a bill from the hospital for any self-administered drugs you receive while an outpatient.

There are some exeptions to the self-administered drug rule for which Medicare allows payment. Some of these exceptions include blood-clotting factors, immunosuppressive agents, erythropoietin, certain oral anticancer drugs and their associated antiemetics, and insulin administered in a medical emergency.

If you have questions about Medicare's billing requirements, please speak to a representative fro our business office at (254) 580-8937.

The ER+ Goal

The ER+ goal is for you to have access 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, to qualified physicians who take the time to listen to what you have to say. You will be greeted warmly by nurses who are truly compassionate and a registration staff that understands that people come before paperwork.

Our team of trained physicians, nurses and technicians are able to provide fast, quality care. They will listen to you, examine you carefully and prescribe a treatment plan that you will understand and believe in.

At our emergency department, ER+ represents a commitment to providing quality service by meeting the needs of our patients and their families with courtesy and respect. Your emergency experience at ER+ should be one of care, concern and attention to your emotional and physical needs. It is our goal not only to meet our patients’ needs, but to exceed the expectations of the people in the community we serve.

ER+ Emergency Services

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The ER+ Goal