Birchmount Hospital FAQ: Emergency, Visiting Hours, Imaging

Hospital emergency departments provide urgent medical care for serious injuries, acute illnesses, and life-threatening conditions requiring immediate attention. Emergency departments are staffed by physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals trained in emergency medicine, and they are equipped with diagnostic tools such as laboratory testing, X-ray, CT scanning, and ultrasound to rapidly assess and treat patients. Services include trauma care, cardiac emergency management, stroke intervention, treatment of severe infections, stabilization of acute medical crises, and coordination of admission to inpatient units when necessary. The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that critical care is always available to the community.

Most hospitals have designated visiting hours to balance patient rest and family support, though policies vary by department and patient condition. Visiting hours are established to protect patient privacy, minimize infection risk, and ensure that clinical activities such as medication administration, physician rounds, and therapeutic procedures can proceed without interruption. Intensive care units, pediatric wards, and isolation rooms may have more restrictive visiting policies, while general medical and surgical units often allow more flexible access. Hospitals may also accommodate special circumstances, such as end-of-life care or the presence of a support person for patients with cognitive or communication challenges. Families are encouraged to confirm visiting hours with the specific unit or department and to respect posted guidelines to support a healing environment for all patients.

An acute care facility is a hospital that provides short-term treatment for severe injuries, urgent medical conditions, and patients recovering from surgery. Acute care is characterized by intensive, focused interventions aimed at stabilizing patients, managing symptoms, and facilitating recovery or transition to ongoing care settings such as rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, or home care. Acute care facilities offer a range of services including emergency departments, inpatient medical and surgical units, intensive care units, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, and pharmacy support. The goal of acute care is to address immediate health crises and prepare patients for the next phase of their healthcare journey, whether that involves discharge home with follow-up care or transfer to a specialized facility for continued treatment.

You should visit the emergency room for chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, suspected stroke, or any life-threatening medical emergency. Other situations that warrant emergency care include loss of consciousness, severe head injury, sudden severe headache, signs of allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or throat, severe abdominal pain, high fever with confusion or stiff neck, and injuries resulting from major trauma. If you are unsure whether your symptoms require emergency care, call 911 or consult with a healthcare professional. For less urgent concerns, consider visiting a walk-in clinic, contacting your primary care provider, or using telehealth services to determine the most appropriate level of care. Prompt recognition of emergency symptoms and timely access to care can significantly improve outcomes and save lives.

Diagnostic imaging services include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds used to diagnose and monitor medical conditions. X-rays use ionizing radiation to create images of bones and certain soft tissues, making them useful for detecting fractures, infections, and lung conditions. Computed tomography (CT) scans combine multiple X-ray images to produce detailed cross-sectional views of the body, aiding in the diagnosis of trauma, tumors, and vascular abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses powerful magnets and radio waves to generate high-resolution images of soft tissues, including the brain, spinal cord, joints, and internal organs. Ultrasound employs sound waves to visualize structures such as the heart, blood vessels, abdomen, and developing fetus. Each imaging modality has specific indications, preparation requirements, and safety considerations, and patients should follow instructions provided by their healthcare team to ensure accurate results.