Emergency Room Guide
Learn how to prepare for and navigate your emergency room visit.​
Must Know Facts
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Tell staff you have a bleeding disorder immediately at check in
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Factor replacement should be given as soon as possible for most bleeding
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Avoid NSAIDs and aspirin (they can make bleeding worse)
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If you have your factor with you, tell staff right away
Prepare (Before an Emergency)
Arrive (First Moments in the ER)
Communicate (During Your Visit)
Going Home (Discharge & Follow-Up)
For Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Must Know Facts
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Tell staff you're autistic and may need accommodations
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Ask for step-by-step explanations before procedures
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Request a quieter space if the ER environment is overwhelming
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Use your "About Me" document to explain your needs
Prepare (Before an Emergency)
Arrive (First Moments in the ER)
Communicate (During Your Visit)
Going Home (Discharge & Follow-Up)
For Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Must Know Facts
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You should get your pain checked & treated within 1 hour of coming to the ER (see the recommendations here)
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Tell staff you have sickle cell disease immediately
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Hydration is important - ask for IV or oral fluids if allowed
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Infusion centers can treat acute pain episodes
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Tell staff if this pain feels different from your usual pain
Prepare (Before an Emergency)
Arrive (First Moments in the ER)
Communicate (During Your Visit)
Going Home (Discharge & Follow-Up)
For All Patients
Before You Need the ER
What to Expect
Communication Tips
Before Leaving
Make a Medication List
Write down all your medicines and how much you take. Include any medicines you only take when needed.
Medical ID
Set up the Medical ID on your phone. Consider a medical ID bracelet if you have a health condition or do outdoor activities without your phone.
Save Doctor Contact Info
Keep your doctor's phone number in your phone and on a card in your wallet.
The ER can seem confusing, but it follows a pattern. Here's what to expect:
1
Check-In
You'll give your basic info at the front desk:
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Legal name and birth date
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Reason for visit
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Insurance card (if you have one)
Important:
Right away, tell them about serious health issues like a bleeding disorder.
2
Triage
A nurse will check how urgent your problem is. They'll take your:
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Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature)
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Brief health history
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Current symptoms
Remember:
Patients aren't seen in the order of arrival. The sickest go first.
3
Waiting
You might wait in the waiting room or be taken to a bed right away.
The wait time depends on:
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How busy the ER is
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How many very sick patients came in
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How dangerous your problem is
Important:
If you start to feel worse, tell a nurse right away.
4
First Tests
You might get tests before seeing a doctor:
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Blood tests
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EKG (heart test)
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X-rays
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This helps the doctor plan your care and saves time.
5
Exam
The ER doctor will:
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Ask about your symptoms
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Do a physical exam
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Review your test results
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Order more tests if needed
Tip:
You might tell your story more than once to different staff. This helps them understand all the details of what's happening.
6
Treatment
Often you will get some treatment while getting tests. Based on what they find, you might get:
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Medicine
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Fluids through an IV
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Treatment for pain
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Other care based on your needs
7
Decision
The ER team will decide if you're safe to go home. If not, they might recommend to:
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Keep you for more watching
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Admit you to the hospital
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Transfer you to another hospital
Getting Started
Help Describing Your Symptoms Clearly
During My Wait
Questions About Tests or Treatments
Special Communication Needs
Before You Leave the ER
Make sure you understand your care plan before leaving:
I understand my diagnosis
I know what medicines to take and how to take them
I know when to follow up with other doctors
I understand when to come back to the ER
I know how to care for myself at home
I know how to get any missing test results
I have doctor's notes for work and/or school (if needed)
Important:
If you don't understand something about your care, keep asking until you do. Tell staff you don't understand and ask them to write down key points.
If you still need help after leaving:
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Send questions to your regular doctor
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If you don't have a doctor:
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Call the hospital's patient advocate or nurse advice line
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Visit a community health center or free clinic
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Ask a pharmacist at any drugstore
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Call 2-1-1 to find local health services
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Home Care Instructions
Written by:
Last Updated: March 18, 2025
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.