In 1989, HCMC was the first hospital
in Minnesota verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level
I Trauma Center. The Emergency Department is the busiest in the state
with more than 90,000 visits annually. Board certified Emergency Medicine
physicians provide 24 hr coverage and outstate emergency consultation.
Nurses receive and participate in teaching specialized training (ACLS,
TNCC, APLS) in handling trauma and medical emergencies.
The patient care team includes on site
chaplains, domestic relations counselor and designated social workers
within offices in the department. An internal mini laboratory and adjacent
emergency x-ray department operating 24 hrs/day adds to the efficiency
of patient care.
The computerized patient clinical information
and tracking system (EmSTAT) promotes staff efficiency in both care
and documentation. The system is linked with the Urgent Care department
and soon the Crisis Center, promoting patient flow and continuity. Primary
physicians automatically receive facsimile summaries of their patient's
visits. The system provides invaluable statistics for the operation
of the department, for patient care issues and administration.
Patient and staff safety is ensured by
controlled access doorways and on-site security guards.
HCMC physicians were leaders in the development
of the emergency medical services system in the metro area and established
one of the first emergency medicine residency training programs in the
nation. The stabilization room, designed by former Chief of Emergency
Medicine, Dr. Ernest Ruiz, in the mid 1970's is still considered a model
for emergency room critical care facilities.
The Emergency Department is currently
under a major renovation project expected to be completed in the fall
of 1998. The new facility will cover 56,000 square feet and will include
our pediatric area, special care area, a fast track urgent care and
a four bay critical stabilization suite. The renovation will enhance
the environment with a comfortable waiting area, several family rooms
and support services within the department.
The department supports many training
programs. Nursing staff is active in teaching emergency care internally
and outstate Minnesota. The staff also speak nationally and internationally
on emergency care and computerization in the ED.
We participate in the International Health
Program where we partner with a sister hospital in Moldova, Russia.
HCMC staff have traveled to Moldova to assist in training in emergency
care, as staff from Moldova have done a site visit with us to observe
our operations and training.
ED staff are very committed to education
not only for ourselves but to the community. We support many disciplines
providing a clinical site for 911 operators, Emergency Medical Technicians,
paramedics, nursing students, residents, and physician assistants. Nurses
and physicians mentor and precept these students, sharing their skill
and knowledge encouragingly.
Staff Nurses organize and participate
in several outreach programs: ENCARE: Learning to Care & TakeCare,
and Bike Safety Camps.
Nursing staff participate with the physicians
teaching in the Benchmark Emergency Procedural Lab, where skills are
taught in a team approach of providing life saving techniques to improve
the early care of critically ill or injured patients. Physicians and
nurses from rural Minnesota travel to HCMC bimonthly for this opportunity.
A form of shared governance model is
currently managing the stabilization room which is our critical care
area. A multi-disciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, nursing
assistants, health unit coordinators, respiratory therapists and a pharmacist
review quality assurance issues, practice issues and equipment.
