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Glam Fame Journal

What procedures are done in the ER?

Author

Matthew Barrera

Updated on March 04, 2026

What procedures are done in the ER?

16 ED Procedures Medical Students Should Know

  • Splinting.
  • Laceration Repair.
  • Intravenous (IV) access and Ultrasound (US) guided IV access.
  • Intraosseous Access (IO)
  • I&D.
  • Arthrocentesis.
  • Lumbar Puncture.
  • Chest Tubes.

Can an emergency room deny you care?

According to the terms of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (“EMTALA”), a hospital cannot refuse a patient medical treatment if it is an emergency, regardless of whether the patient is insured or not.

What are standardized protocols?

Standardized protocols are a set of pre-approved orders that include a specifically defined patient population and clinical scenario(s) in which these orders may be carried out by nursing staff without any additional physician, NP, or PA input, approval, or order, either written or verbal.

How do I prepare for an ER visit?

Preparing for an Emergency Room Visit

  1. Identification and Payment. Having proper identification on hand allows for expedited handling of personal information when a patient first arrives for emergency care.
  2. Cell phone charger.
  3. Medical history.
  4. Injury or illness details.
  5. Trust.
  6. Bring a friend.

What is elective procedure?

An elective surgery does not always mean it is optional. It simply means that the surgery can be scheduled in advance. It may be a surgery you choose to have for a better quality of life, but not for a life-threatening condition. But in some cases it may be for a serious condition such as cancer.

What are Emtala violations?

When a hospital or doctor employed by a hospital refuses a patient emergency medical treatment they need due to lack of insurance, it is a violation of the EMTALA law. The fine for this violation can be as much as $50,000 for the hospital and the physician. These fines are not covered by malpractice insurance.

What happens if you refuse treatment in a hospital?

Yes. A fundamental principle of health law is an adult’s right to decide what is or is not done to their bodies. This includes the right to consent to or refuse medical treatment. An adult who has capacity can choose to refuse medical treatment even if failure to receive treatment will result in death.

Is Procedure same as protocol?

A Protocol defines a set of Procedures or steps to be followed for the accomplishment of a given task. Procedures are task oriented. Procedures provide step-by-step instructions on how to do a task.

What procedures can nurses do?

Registered nurses check and record patients’ vital signs; administer medications; change and clean bandages, dressings and catheters; and provide wound care if necessary. They collect tissue, blood, stool or urine specimens for testing, and run some testing procedures themselves.

What does the emergency room do?

What is an emergency department? EDs have highly trained doctors and other health professionals on site to deal with emergencies. They assess, treat, stabilise and start the health management of people who have come to the ED with a serious illness or injury.

What are reasons to go to the ER?

Reasons to Go to the Emergency Department

  • Any sudden or severe pain, or uncontrolled bleeding.
  • Changes in vision.
  • Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure.
  • Confusion or changes in mental function, such as unexplained drowsiness or disorientation.
  • Coughing or vomiting blood, or bright red blood in bowel movements.

What is a required procedure?

Required surgery – Surgery which needs to be done in order to retain quality of life. As opposed to urgent or emergency surgery, required surgeries do not need to be performed immediately. Examples of required surgery are kidney stone or tumor removal.