Emergency Services

Our team of highly trained emergency physicians and nurses are on duty 24/7 and include support from qualified staff in respiratory care, social work, laboratory and radiology. The team is supported by a broad base of critical-care knowledge to accurately assess and treat acute medical problems for individuals of all ages.

Upon your arrival at the Emergency Department, you will be seen by a member of our staff who will evaluate your condition. This is called triage and is required for all patients before treatment can begin.

In an Emergency Department, it is extremely important that the most acutely ill and injured be seen first. Every effort is made to provide prompt care. There are a variety of reasons why you may have to wait. Other patients may be treated ahead of you because of their condition. If you are waiting for a patient, procedures such as x-rays and blood tests take time. Your cooperation and patience are greatly appreciated.

Having accurate information about you, your symptoms and medical history are critical to providing excellent care. Our nurses, staff and physicians will ask you many questions to ensure they have as complete a picture as possible. We encourage you to be open in all your communications with the medical staff concerning any health or well being issues. As required by law, all information provided is confidential.

To help the staff to assess and treat you, make sure you tell them:

Any health problems you have had, onset, duration, what made it worse, and what provided relief.
All complaints of pain. Identify where it hurts, how bad it hurts, how long the pain has been there, what makes it worse and what improves it. Please include medications, prescribed and non-prescribed, that you have taken for pain.
All drugs and treatments used in the last 15 days or on a continuous basis. If you do not know this, especially the drugs by dose and frequency, please bring all your medications in their containers with you when you come to the ED.
Any drug or food allergies.
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Any other facts pertaining to your health or well being.
Any physical or mental abuse.
Current vaccinations.

When you leave, you will receive directions to continue your care. It is very important that you understand and follow these directions. If you do not understand – ASK! Patients are responsible for their own care after they leave the Emergency Department. Patients should also arrange for follow-up appointments as directed in their discharge instructions.

The Emergency Department is designated as a Level III Trauma Center. Columbus Community Hospital was the first hospital in the region to be verified as a Level III Trauma Center by the Nebraska State Trauma Team. The Medical Staff and personnel in the Trauma Center have received specialty training to resuscitate and stabilize trauma patients.

In 2012, we expanded our emergency room by 28 percent to include a new streamlined patient triage system; a fast-track urgent care area; 12 beds designated cardiac, obstetric and orthopedic rooms; a state-of-the-art nurses’ station; and an enclosed garage to protect patients during the transfer process from ambulance to hospital.