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Section of Emergency Medicine
Introduction
The Section of Emergency Medicine service attends to patients with injuries and sudden illnesses, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
 In response to these needs and for the convenience of patients, Aga Khan University Hospital's Section of Emergency Medicine has introduced the Triage and Fast Track system. The Triage desk placed at the entrance of the Section of Emergency Medicine, will determine prioritization of patients after the nurse checks their vital signs and symptoms. Critically ill patients are directed immediately to the treatment area. Patients with non-life threatening conditions, are sent through the Fast Track where they receive prompt medical attention and leave the hospital after receiving the treatment within an hour. Some of the minor problems which are managed at the Fast Track are ear aches, tooth aches, sore throat, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wounds, bruises, etc.
EXAMINATION
On arrival in the Section of Emergency Medicine, the Unit Receptionist or a nurse will ask you for personal information such as your name, age and address, so that your medical record can be prepared.
 The doctor's team consists of an emergency physician-incharge, interns and residents (specialists in training) as well as residents and consultants or each clinical department with whom the staff consult, in case of need.
The doctor may ask for laboratory tests and X-rays before deciding about further treatment or the need for admission to the Hospital. The results of these tests may take 3-4 hours, so there will be a waiting period.
An attendant can stay with the patient in the Section of Emergency Medicine. Other attendants accompanied by the patients will be requested to stay in the waiting room.
DECISION TO DISCHARGE OR ADMIT
The doctors will decide whether you are well enough to go home or should be admitted in the Hospital.
 A doctor f rom the ward team, who is responsible for admitting on that day may come to you to re-assess and re-evaluate you.
If you are sent home, you may be asked to come back to the ER, CC or CHC for a follow-up appointment.
In case you need in-patient treatment your attendants will be guided to the Admissions Office for making arrangements.
During your stay in the Section of Emergency Medicine, the necessary treatment will be started.
There may be occasions when a bed may not be available in the Hospital. If it is anticipated that no bed is likely to be available in the next few hours following your arrival in the Section of Emergency Medicine, then you or your family members could be requested to make arrangements to shift you to another hospital. Such a decision is taken in the best interest of the patient.
GENERAL
 Section of Emergency Medicine is supervised by the Emergency Physicians 24 hours a day. Floor Consultants are available on call and, if necessary, can be called in to examine you.
The help the community and our patients, we are introducing telephone help line in Section of Emergency Medicine, where appropriate advice will be given 24 hours a day.
Most people who come to the Section of Emergency Medicine expect immediate attention. Patients and their families who experience a medical crisis are often anxious. They want to receive care as soon as possible. We understand. The reality is that the average Section of Emergency Medicine visit takes about four hours. Here's why it takes so long.
WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO GET INTO THE SEM?
As a rule, sicker people often are seen first. Someone who comes in by ambulance or who complains of trouble breathing, chest pain, or severe bleeding will be seen before someone whose condition is not life threatening. More stable patients are seen on a “first come, first served” basis.
You may have to wait longer if there are many patients in the Section of Emergency Medicine or if your problem requires a room with special equipment. A triage nurse will quickly assess your medical needs when you come in. He or she will assign a room as soon as possible based on those findings.
WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO GET OUT OF THE SEM?
We have two main goals in our treatment:
- We want to find out what's causing your problem?
- We want to control uncomfortable symptoms.
The Section of Emergency Medicine doctor will most likely need to order tests, such as blood tests, ECG, or X-rays, to help figure out the nature and extent of your problem. Sometimes it takes hours to perform these tests and analyze the results. Nurses and technicians, both in the Section of Emergency Medicine and the hospital, help perform these tests. All our staff members are well trained and can answer your questions at any time during your visit.
Our doctor may also decide to consult with a specialist, like a surgeon or doctor may see you. It may seem like you are seeing a lot of different faces, but each one plays a role in providing quality care.
The doctor may order medications or other treatments. If so, he or she will want to observe you long enough to see if the treatment makes you better before sending home. If the Section of Emergency Medicine doctor and the consultant believe your condition remains serious enough, you may be admitted to the hospital or transferred to some other type of care facility. It may take hours to arrange for these transfers.
CAN I AT LEAST HAVE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH ME IN SEM?
We have limited space in the SEM. Many of our beds are separated by curtains rather than walls. We may need to bring testing equipment to the bedside. And don't forget those care providers! Therefore, we ask that only one visitor at a time be allowed by each patient's bedside. This makes it easier for us to do our work and protects the privacy and security of our patients.
By law, no one can be denied medical evaluation and appropriate medical treatment in an Emergency Department, regardless of age, race, sex or ability to pay. Our mission is to provide this service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your patience can help us provide the best care we can.
We hope the above information is helpful and we request your co-operation with our team members. We also welcome your suggestions to help us improve our services.
For more information, please contact:
Aga Khan University Hospital , Karachi
P.O Box 3500, Stadium Road, Karachi-74800, Pakistan.
Telephone: 92-21-4861080
Fax: 92-21-4934294, 4932095
Email: emergency.medicine@aku.edu
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