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What to expect as a patient

Patients arriving at the Emergency Department (ED) of St. Vincent’s University Hospital may arrive by ambulance, self-present or be referred by their GP.

Step 1: Reception

  • Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, all patients are directed immediately to the reception area.
  • A set of medical records are prepared and the patient is provided with an identification bracelet. Any notes from previous Emergency Department attendances will also reviewed.

Step 2:  Triage

  • Patients are assessed by a triage nurse who assigns a priority rating determining the order of treatment.
  • Based on their needs, the patient may be asked to take a seat in the lounge area outside Triage or be directed to a specific zone in the Emergency Department for immediate care.
  • The nurse will also assess whether any pain relief is needed. Some patients may be asked to remain fasting in case they need surgical intervention.
  • Patients who arrive by ambulance are taken to a receiving bay and allocated an appropriate triage category from there.

Step 3:  Clinical treatment areas

Fast Track

For patients with all trauma and mechanical related musculoskeletal injuries, requiring urgent assessment and treatment including:

  • Wounds, local infections, bites and abscesses – which will be assessed, treated and appropriate follow up arranged.
  • All dislocated joints and significant lacerations.
  • Patients with some joint reductions may be suitable for reduction under local anaesthetic whilst other patients may be moved to a dedicated monitoring bay for procedural sedation.
  • Other patients with suspected clots, head injuries and other clinical presentations deemed appropriate by the Emergency Department consultant may also be seen in the Fast Track area.

Fast Track opening hours are Mon to Fri: 08.00 – 22.00 and Sat to Sun: 11.00-19.00

Rapid Assessment and Treatment Area

Patients deemed suitable for our Rapid Assessment and Treatment area can expect:

  • Efficient evaluation and treatment; many can be promptly discharged after resolution of their issue.
  • Some patients may wait in the patient lounge for investigation results (e.g., blood tests, x-rays).
  • Others may require additional assessment or inpatient care in our specialised clinical areas.

Clinical Decision Unit

Patients presenting to the Emergency Department with specific conditions may be directed to our Clinical Decision Unit if their stay is expected to be between 6 and 24 hours. This unit caters to three categories:

  • Observation periods.
  • Investigations to determine discharge feasibility based on results.
  • Short therapeutic courses for defined conditions, ensuring safe discharge thereafter.

Chest Pain Evaluation Unit

At St. Vincent’s University Hospital, the Chest Pain Evaluation Unit provides specialised care for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with chest pain requiring ongoing investigation and treatment.

  • Located adjacent to the Emergency Department, this 24-hour unit is overseen by Emergency Department consultants and the Clinical Decision Unit team.
  • Patients receive care, including supervision by cardiology advanced nurse practitioners with direct access to the on-call cardiology team.

Step 4:  Discharge or Admission

  • Patients who do not require specific treatments available only at St. Vincent’s University Hospital may be admitted to St. Michael’s Hospital in Dun Laoghaire or St. Columcille’s Hospital in Loughlinstown.
  • Our priority is to transfer patients to an inpatient ward bed as soon as it is safe and feasible to do so.

For more information about arriving at the Emergency Department, visit our list of frequently asked questions. If your treatment requires follow-up on another day, please visit our Post Emergency Department Clinics.  Find out what to expect as a visitor to the Emergency Department.

Emergency Department