Basic Information About Visiting Peterson’s Emergency Department
Parking
Parking is available in the lot in front of the Emergency Department entrance. Additional visitor parking is available near the main entrance of Peterson Regional Medical Center.
Phone and Camera Use
Peterson Regional Medical Center is a cell phone-friendly environment, but please be considerate of others regarding where and how you use your phone. Telephones are available in each Emergency Department treatment room. Simply dial 9 to get an outside line. Use of cameras and other recording devices is prohibited within the hospital unless specifically approved.
Food Services
Visitors can find delicious meals, snacks, and beverages in the Blue Sage Bistro, located on the first floor of Peterson Regional Medical Center. The bistro is open Monday through Friday from 7am to 7pm and 7am to 2pm on weekends.
Vending areas are located on all three floors of Peterson Regional Medical Center – on the east side of the atrium near the patient elevators.
Confidentiality
Due to the requirements of the Privacy Laws and in respect of our patient’s privacy, we do not give patient information out to anyone without the patient’s specific approval.
Arriving at the Emergency Department
When you arrive, go to the Admissions window and give your name, date of birth, social security number, and reason for your visit. You may give this information privately on a small piece of paper to the staff.
You will be escorted to a room by our staff. All registration and triage will be done in the treatment room.
Peterson’s Emergency Department strives for a “30 minutes, door to doc.” This means it should take approximately 30 minutes from the time you walk in our door until the time you see a Physician or Advanced Practice Provider. We pride ourselves on reaching this goal 90% of the time. Sometimes it may take longer if we have a surge of patients or if someone is very ill.
Things to Consider
When it is exceptionally busy in the Emergency Department, we will make every effort to keep you notified about delays. If you become concerned about your wait time, don’t hesitate to ask the staff.
Please note, when all of our Emergency patient rooms are full, you will be triaged according to the severity of your condition. Please be patient, and know we are working quickly and are committed to your care.
Remember: While you are waiting for treatment, you should not eat or drink anything until you check with the nurse or physician.
Receiving Care in the Emergency Department
Your Health Care Team
Our ER Physicians have emergency medical training and most are board-certified in emergency medicine. Most of these highly experienced Physicians live in Kerrville or surrounding communities.
In the Treatment Room
Once the Physician has seen you, any lab tests or x-rays ordered will be processed. Some tests may take an hour or more to process; a short list of tests and accompanying wait times is posted in your treatment room. After the results of your tests are available, your Physician will review them.
If you are admitted
If you have a Primary Care Physician on our medical staff, he/she may admit you. If you do not have a Primary Care Physician, or if your Physician is not on our medical staff, a Hospitalist will admit you.
If the decision is made to admit you to the hospital, we will move you to a patient room as soon as one becomes available. If there is a wait for the room, we will make you as comfortable as possible until your room is ready.
Other Resources You Should Know About
If you need home care, a community agency or facility related to your care, our social workers and case managers can help. Your nurse or Physician will help you with a referral. If you would like a Chaplain contacted, please let your nurse know.
If you have any concerns during your visit, please let us know. A Patient Relations Coordinator is also available to help resolve any patient concerns. You are invited to call directly with any compliments or concerns at 830-258-7630 or (x7630 if you are calling from within the hospital.)
Leaving the Emergency Department
Discharge Instructions
Before you leave the Emergency Room (or the hospital if you are admitted), you will receive discharge instructions. It is very important that you understand and follow these directions. If you do not understand these instructions, please ask for further clarification. You will be taken to registration to handle all insurance and financial arrangements.
Please arrange for follow-up appointments with your Primary Care Physician as directed in your discharge instructions. In some cases, your Physician will want to refer you to a Specialist.
Patient Check-In and Service Survey
You may receive a call to see how you are doing a day or so after you leave the Emergency Department. If diagnostic lab tests or X-rays were done, results will be sent to your Primary Care Physician. Upon request, results can also be sent to a Physician not on the medical staff. In an effort to continuously improve our services, you may receive a patient survey in the mail. If you do, please complete and return it. Your feedback will help us better serve you and other patients in the future.
Billing
Emergency Department Physicians and Physicians on our medical staff are not employees of Peterson Regional Medical Center. They must bill for their services separately. Depending on the services rendered, you may receive a bill from the hospital for the Emergency Department itself, a separate bill from the Emergency Department Physician for the care he/she provided, a bill from the Radiologist if X-rays were required, and a bill from any Specialist who was called in for consultation.
