Emergency Department

At Bates County Memorial Hospital, the Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is staffed with qualified nurses and board-certified physicians. The Emergency Department sees more than 8,000 patients each year.

Our qualified staff is committed to providing the best emergency care possible in a caring and respectful manner, and are trained to provide a full range of medical care for patients of all ages with all types of medical problems, from minor illnesses to life-threatening emergencies.

What should I expect from a visit to the Emergency Department?

The Emergency Department (ED) at Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) provides care for your illness or injury 24 hours a day. The ED is here to stabilize acute, sudden injury or illness. Chronic health-care issues are best managed by your primary health-care provider.

Physicians, Registered Nurses and Paramedics, all with advance emergency training and certifications, provide your care in the ED. BCMH contracts with Electric City Emergency Physicians to provide board-certified physicians to care for patients around the clock. Resources and equipment specific to the need of the emergency patient are available here. All patients presenting will receive a medical stabilizing exam and stabilizing treatment.

What to expect upon arrival.

Most ED patients are immediately taken to a room on their arrival. During times of high volume or acuity, patients are triaged to determine the priority in which they are seen and may be asked to wait in the ED lobby. The wait for an emergency physician will vary depending on volume and acuity or seriousness of the condition. The average ED wait time is measured continuously at BCMH and is considerably shorter than the national average, so we encourage you to wait. If you choose to leave at any time during your care, please let your nurse know.

Emergency Telemedicine at BCMH

Telemedicine may be used at Bates County Memorial Hospital to assess patients presenting with stroke symptoms. A neurologist from an accredited stroke treatment center evaluates the patient via telemedicine alongside the emergency physician. The two of them jointly determine a plan of action, which may include the administration of thrombolytic “clot-busting” medications.

Telemedicine provides the patient and health care professional with a way to evaluate, diagnose and even treat certain time-sensitive medical conditions with input from specialists at a remote location. Live video and audio of the patient are viewable by the specialist, while at the same time the patient is looking at and talking to an expert in treating their condition.

Patient outcomes may be greatly improved with early stroke treatment, including thrombolytics. For more information, contact the Emergency Services Supervisor at 660-200-7119.

Waiting?

After the physician sees you, he may order testing and treatment to include laboratory, radiology and respiratory care. Many of these tests have a defined time period that is required to complete and be returned in order for the physician to review. Following stabilizing treatment, you may be discharged, admitted or transferred. Discharge instructions will be provided and may include prescriptions to be filled or a need for follow-up care. We encourage all discharged patients to make an appointment to see your primary health care provider soon, following discharge – this is very important to your ongoing health care.

BCMH provides paramedic (advanced life support) ambulance service to the residents of Bates County. On occasion, we utilize third parties to assist with patient transports, including air and ground ambulance services. To request an ambulance in an emergency, call 911.

If you need to speak with a member of our Emergency Services Department team, please call 660-200-7050.

Real-Time Text (RTT) for the hearing and speech impaired: 660-464-0303

Air Medical Transport Services

At Bates County Memorial Hospital, emergency patients may be transferred by air ambulance due to life-threatening situations. The hospital utilizes the services of air medical transport services provided by LifeFlight Eagle and MedFlight. These air ambulance helicopters land on the hospital’s helipad located south of the hospital.

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