Top-ranked Emergency Care

Emergency care that ranks among the best in the country is available right here in Lincoln at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center.

In fact, the Saint Elizabeth Emergency Department (ED) is one of the top medical centers in the U.S. for the fastest response time for heart attack patients - giving them the best chance for survival and recovery. In addition, we've been awarded second place in the medium hospital category for "Overall Emergency Department Satisfaction" by The Jackson Organization, an independent organization that surveyed more than 150 hospitals across the country.

New ED Facilities
Saint Elizabeth is expanding our emergency department (ED) with advanced technology and design, offering improvements for our community.

Saint Elizabeth has expanded its ED and now offers incredible advances in equipment and overall technology to help better serve our community.  “I view our emergency department as one of the front doors to our hospital,” says Libby Raetz, director of the emergency department at Saint Elizabeth. “Since an emergency department visit is often a patient’s first experience with us, we want it to be excellent. With this expansion project, we offer patients more exam rooms, which will ultimately decrease waiting times, and improved technologies. We also offer some extra amenities to make their stay as comfortable as possible.”

Only the Best
Since size does matter when it comes to caring for patients, the number of rooms in the emergency department has about doubled—from 13 to 25. All rooms have flat screen televisions with cable access. Wait times will be reduced. Within minutes of arriving at the ED, each patient is seen by a triage nurse who assesses their illness or injury. Most patient paperwork will be completed at the bedside, after they are already in an ED room.
To increase comfort for families, there’s also new, more spacious waiting room with refreshments such as coffee or soft drinks, as well as Internet access, a large screen television, and a special area for children.
 
Advanced Technology
Saint Elizabeth has extended the tools of its 100% digital Imaging Center into the new ED with picture archiving and communications system (PACS). Digital images from x-rays to CT scans are stored digitally for rapid viewing by a physician. Specialists can view PACS images from remote locations such as their office or home via the Internet. Also, three new Pyxis medication-dispensing machines are in place. These machines distribute medications instantly—much like an ATM gives out money—reducing wait time for pharmacy medications and products.

Safe and Secure
The ED will continue to have secure entry areas. Only medical personnel with proper identification badges will escort patients and families into the ED care areas.

“We have put a lot of time, thought, and resources into taking the very best care of our patients and families that we can,” says Libby. “We are constantly striving to do a better job at what we do, which, as a patient, would give me a feeling of confidence and security. Our staff members are professional, competent, and compassionate in the care they give. With state-of-the-art equipment, a beautiful facility, and a friendly, caring environment, what more could you ask for?”
 
Brief list of Physical changes:

• More rooms: 25 state-of-the-art patient exam rooms with full high-tech monitoring capability for heart and other emergencies.
• Specialized orthopaedic rooms: For treating broken bones or more complicated traumas.
• More nursing stations: Designed so our nurses will be near you at all times.
• New waiting room: With additional space and comfort, a beverage center, large screen TV, internet access, and special features for children.
• A special decontamination room: to help protect you in the event of a hazardous chemical or other incident.
• Increased security: Following national trends our ED will become a secure entry area. You will need to be escorted into the ED exam
  area as well as into the medical center itself.
• Automated medical records: By the end of 2006 all patient information and medical documentation will be electronic. This will offer increased security, accuracy, and confidentiality of your information.