Emergency Services
What are your hours? Contact numbers
We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline 0114531088/89, General number 0114531000.
When should I go to the Emergency Department?
Anyone who is in need of medical attention should go to the emergency department. There are times you should call an ambulance to receive medical attention while en-route to the hospital. For example, chest pain, stroke like symptoms (confusion, altered level of consciousness, etc.), seizure activity or any other significant illness or injury you should consider calling an ambulance.
Who will see me on arrival to emergency dept.?
All patients are seen by an emergency doctor/nurse and the Consultant as per the condition
Who else will care for me during my hospital stay?
Our medical team is comprised of highly skilled nurses, technicians and therapists.
How long will I need to wait to be seen?
Patients are seen based on the severity of their symptoms, requiring the most urgent needs to be cared for first. Our goal is to keep your wait time to a minimum. If you have concerns about your wait time, please speak with the nurse/doctor. Please know that we will care for you as soon as possible.
What type of testing will be done?
We have access to the most advanced medical treatments and technologies including: diagnostic lab testing advanced radiographic images, pharmaceutical agents, etc. Your test will depend upon your doctor’s initial examinations and diagnosis.
Can I keep my cell phone and other devices?
Absolutely. However, we ask that you limit distraction when your healthcare team is interacting with you.
What is the best time to come to the E.R.?
The emergency department is available 24 hours a day for patients who require immediate care. It is not always predictable when it will be busy. Patients are seen in order based on an assessment of their illness.
How do I know if I need to come to the E.R.?
The emergency department is always available to patients who feel that they have a problem that cannot wait for an appointment with your primary doctor.
If I have a physician or family doctor, can he/she treat me in the Emergency Department?
Your doctor is welcome to call the Emergency Department to discuss your care. Many times, the Emergency Department doctor will call your Consultant/Family Physicians. This communication is helpful for you and your doctor, giving you the best care at the hospital and after you go home.
What happens when the Emergency doctor says I can go home?
You will be given instructions for your care and recovery. If the doctor decides you need a prescription that will be given to you as well. Part of your instructions will tell you when and with whom you need to have follow-up care.
What if I feel bad after I leave?
Follow your after care instructions carefully, but you should always feel free to return to the Emergency Department if you feel your condition is getting worse
How can I give feedback about my care?
Our goal is to provide excellent care to everyone who visits the Emergency department. Following your visit, you may receive an emergency feedback form. Please take a few minutes to let us know how we are doing. Your feedback helps us provide the best care to you and our community.
How much time will my visit take?
That will depend on how sick you are and how many tests are ordered. Patients with minor complaints can be seen and discharged quickly whereas someone with a more complicated illness may take some hours.
Can patients eat or drink anything while waiting to be seen?
Patients should not eat or drink anything until a doctor or nurse has given approval.
Will my regular doctor be called?
We like to involve your regular doctor for any condition that is not minor. You may also request that we call your physician during your stay.
Will I be allowed to have visitors during my treatment?
Absolutely, but the number of visitors in the emergency treatment area is kept to a minimum. This allows the emergency team sufficient space to do their job quickly and effectively. It ensures that the patients are receiving the best medical care as well as maintains an appropriate level of privacy for other patients. Every effort is made to keep your loved ones informed of your condition as well as allow them to be with you when possible.
What information will I need to provide when I arrive?
You will need to provide basic personal information, including full name, home address, age/birth date, phone number, list of current medications, and if any insurance information.
What happens if my condition changes while I’m waiting for a room?
Please notify a nurse or medical staff member of the change immediately.
What will happen when I arrive at the Emergency Department?
When you arrive at the Emergency Department:
- A nurse/doctor will examine the patient to determine the seriousness of the injury or illness.
- Later, a brief exam will involve taking blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respirations and other details.
- Depending on the seriousness of the illness or injury, the emergency doctor or together with the consultants will work up a medical management plan for you. The length of the wait is difficult to predict because it depends on the illness/injury and the number of other patients who need care at the same time.
- The patient or representative will go to the registration window to complete necessary paperwork.
- Finally patient may be discharged from emergency or will be admitted depending on the condition.
If tests are performed, how long will I have to wait for my results?
Waiting for test results can take time. Our doctors may want to discuss your results with specialists. Paying special attention to your care can take time, but soon a doctor will develop a plan of care for you and a nurse/doctor will provide instructions to you admission or discharge.
Will I be admitted for further care?
Depending on your condition and the results of tests and/or your doctor’s decision, you may be admitted for additional care or observation. Our staff will work with the hospital to obtain an appropriate room for you as quickly as possible.
Do patients have to wait for a bed once admitted to the hospital?
Wait times depend on the number of available beds and the type of bed the doctor has requested.
Will I have to share a room with another patient in the Emergency Department?
No. We designed our Emergency Department rooms with privacy in mind. Each patient will have his/her own room.
What if I need prescription drugs?
The Emergency Department will provide whatever medications you need as part of your emergency treatment, such as pain killers, but the department is not authorized to dispense medications for you to take after discharge.
- For your convenience, a pharmacy is located on the emergency entrance of the hospital.
- There is a main outpatient pharmacy at the plaza.
Why are some patients seen before others?
We must care for critical patients with life-threatening conditions first. If you have a minor illness or injury, you may have to wait while sicker or more severely injured patients are seen first.
What happens to me after discharge from the E.R.?
When you are discharged from the emergency department, you will be given instructions on self care and a telephone number to call if you have continued problems. You may be instructed to follow-up with your regular consultant or any referrals.
Why did I have to wait when the staff did not look busy?
Staff and doctors are waiting for diagnostic test results and often can’t proceed with other treatment or diagnosis until the test results are available.
Why can't I get any medical advice or information over the phone when I call?
Unlike your primary doctor, the Emergency department staff is not familiar with your medical history, general health, or health care concerns; therefore we cannot provide accurate information related to treatment or diagnosis over the phone. We will always be glad to see you in person in the Emergency department.
Can I make ambulance booking over the phone?
Yes, the contact numbers are 0114531088/89 and an ambulance service hotline 1566.
What about Air transfers both locally and abroad and how?
Yes we do, you may contact the E.R department from where all the guidance will be done by the emergency doctor/nurse. The procedure and the requirements will be explained to you and pickup will be decided and coordinated with respect to the patient condition.
Does your Ambulance service have facilities to transport critically ill patients during long distance pickups/drops?
We have the highest standard of ambulances with portable ventilators, cardiac monitors, defibrillators and well trained medical team experienced in transporting critical patients. We do such regular transports from Jaffna, Mannar, Vauniya and other long distant places to and from LH.
What is the cost for an Ambulance pickup?
It depends on the condition and distance of the pickup; we will be able to give the cost when you call/visit EMR with details of patient (condition and location).
How long will you take to send an Ambulance?
In an Emergency we dispatch the ambulance within a minimum time period but the time to reach the destination will depend on distance, time of day (eg: on a peak traffic hour, there may be a delay in ambulance services) and other pickups will depend on distance and patient condition as we need to prepare with respect to patient needs and also make necessary prior arrangements at our hospital end to receive the patient when is arrives.
Why do emergency ambulance services cost so much?
Ambulance fees and charges reflect the cost of providing a quality and responsive ambulance service by emergency care doctors and paramedics 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.