Introduction
The Emergency Department (ED) in Waterford Regional Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This facility provides emergency care to both adults and children. It is also the Trauma Orthopaedic Centre for the HSE South East.

Within the Health Statistics published monthly by the Department of Health, WRH “Emergency Department to acute admission waiting times” is consistently very good and always features as a Green rating rather than an Amber or Red rating.

Where are we?
The ED is well signposted when driving into the Hospital grounds. It is located to the rear on the left of the main building.

What do we do?
An excerpt from the ED Nursing Philosophy:

“The Department appreciates and recognizes that all patients have the right to a safe, competent and researched based standard of nursing care aimed at achieving the best possible outcome, in a safe and supportive environment.”

Our main focus is:

• To access all patients presenting to the ED using the Manchester Triage system.
• Treat as indicated - provide emergency resuscitation and treatment as required.
• Refer patients on to the appropriate specialty as required.
• If the patient does not require admission, discharge and refer to their GP or organize Review Clinic appointment.

How to access this Service         

• By Ambulance as a result of a 999 emergency call
• Referral by your GP
• Self referral

Our Aim

Following triage you will be streamed into 1 of 3 pathways.

1. You may be referred to the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) which aims to diagnose, treat and avoid admitting you to the hospital.
2. You may be referred to the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) if your complaint is a minor injury or illness. In this area you may be seen by one of our Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP) who are qualifies to assess, diagnose, treat, review and discharge patients.
3. Your condition may require you to be seen through the regular ED service.

Reception
On arrival, patients are registered by clerical staff onto the computer system.  Essential details are collated and an ED Card is created.

Triage
Patients are assessed by the Triage Nurse and given a priority rating which will determine the urgency with which they are seen.

The Triage Categories are outlined below.

• Category 1 – immediate attention
• Category 2 – very urgent treatment
• Category 3 – Early full assessment
• Category 4 – needs to be seen but can wait
• Category 5 – can be seen elsewhere