Specializing in Two Kinds of Patients: Adults and Children
“Whoever comes in our doors, we’re ready to treat,” says Dave Hasleton, MD, medical director of the Emergency Department. “We’re focused on giving excellent care to everyone — adults and children of all ages, babies to teenagers.”
A Special Emphasis on Kids
Riverton’s Emergency Department has taken steps to ensure that young patients — from newborns to nearly adult — get fantastic treatment close to home. The Emergency Department has dedicated three rooms for pediatric patients, outfitting them with special instruments and equipment. The rooms also have a child-friendly feel, with colorful murals, DVD players, and kids’ books.
All of the department’s physicians and nurses have received special training in treating children, and veteran members of the team have lots of experience caring for children. In fact, many staffers have worked in the busiest, most demanding emergency rooms in the state.
Speed Is a Priority
The Emergency Department’s goal is to have all patients seen by a doctor within 30 minutes from when they first walk in the door. Anyone who’s come to an emergency room knows that speed of care is a big deal. It’s especially important given the number of kids we’re treating. No parent wants to wait with a sick child a minute longer than they need to.
Board-Certified Physicians
All the emergency physicians at Riverton are specially trained and experienced in handling any kind of emergency — from cuts and sprains to more serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, trauma, and pediatric cases. All physicians have practiced in Level I trauma hospitals, which handle the most serious emergent cases.
Great Nursing
All the nurses in the Riverton Hospital Emergency Department are certified in adult and pediatric emergency care, and many have years of experience handling all kinds of emergencies.
A “High-Acuity” Treatment Room
This room is reserved for patients with the most severe problems and is fully outfitted with all the instruments and equipment needed to treat these individuals.
Observation Rooms
Four special rooms are used for patients who need longer monitoring, but don’t necessarily need to be admitted to the hospital. If we have a sick patient and tests don’t immediately confirm what’s wrong, a physician may decide to observe that individual for a longer period. In many hospitals, that patient would be sent home and told to come back in a few hours for more tests. Or they’d be admitted to the hospital, which is much more expensive. Riverton’s observation rooms prevent those problems. The rooms are larger than normal and have private bathrooms, which make a longer visit more comfortable for both patients and visitors.
High-Tech Imaging Tools
A state-of-the-art CT scanner and MRI machine are right next door, which enhances the speed and precision of emergency diagnoses. Physicians are able to use ultrasound right at the bedside — a feature you won’t find in many emergency departments across the country. These tools allow physicians to diagnose internal bleeding, find foreign objects, and look for cardiac conditions quickly and conveniently.
A Comfortable, Secure, Private Setting
Riverton’s Emergency Department offers a more comfortable setting than you’ll find in older hospitals. Treatment areas are safe, secure, and very private.
A Pharmacy Kiosk
The kiosk — which resembles a drive-up window at the bank — is conveniently located in the Emergency Department waiting room so patients can pick up their prescriptions immediately and go home to rest and recover without stopping at the pharmacy on the way home.
An Ambulance on Site
An agreement with Gold Cross Ambulance ensures that an ambulance is always stationed at Riverton Hospital. That means critical patients who require more intensive care can be transported quickly and safely.