What to Expect

Welcome to UF Health Flagler Hospital’s Emergency Care Center, where specially trained emergency physicians, nurses, paramedics and technicians are here to provide you with compassionate, quality, clinical care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See the Physician First

We know that health emergencies are a scary and anxious time for patients and their families - and that’s one reason we’ve redesigned our process to ensure all our patients see a physician right away. We call it Physician First Emergency Care. By seeing a physician first, our patients can be more rapidly evaluated and know that your diagnosis, testing and treatment plan is underway within minutes. To make sure you see a doctor right away, we’ve changed some things that might be different to you. The following information should help you understand what to expect during your emergency care visit.

What to Expect

Upon arrival, please check in at the reception desk. After we obtain a little information, take your photograph and place an ID band on your wrist, you will be escorted to the appropriate care area. Please note that your photo is an important part of your health record, for your safety and privacy.

Most patients will go to our new physician assessment area. This area is super-staffed to immediately assess your needs. If you need an x-ray or a lab test, the physician will get those started. Due to space limitations in this area, we will ask your family to wait for you in one of our lounge areas.

Once you’ve seen a doctor, you will be escorted to our new results pending lounge. While there, we’ll continually reassess your needs and do our best to help you stay as comfortable as possible. We appreciate your patience. Completing tests and receiving results can take from one to three hours, and sometimes longer for specialized tests.

Going Home

Once your doctor has reviewed the results, he or she will take you to a private area to discuss your diagnosis and treatment and go over your discharge instructions if you are going home. Both your doctor and your nurse will review this information with you, to make sure you understand everything you need to know and also answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to ask any question at all. You are the most important member of your care team. Before you go, you may need to complete some final paperwork at our registration desk.

Observation & Admission

Sometimes, patients require longer monitoring, diagnostic testing, therapy and assessment of symptoms. This allows your physician to make accurate determinations whether further treatment as an inpatient is required, or if you are ready to return home. If your illness requires admission to the hospital, you may be transported to our transitional admissions unit until an appropriate inpatient room for your condition is available. Our Admission of Excellence Guide provides all the information you and your family need to know about your hospital stay. Please ask for a copy if you are admitted to the hospital and for some reason you don’t receive one.

Thank you for choosing UF Health Flagler Hospital. It is our privilege to care for you

Our goal is to exceed your expectations in every way. We want to hear from you. If you have concerns with your care or any of our services, please contact your care team immediately. If you are not comfortable discussing concerns with your care team, please contact the office of patient engagement during regular business hours by calling 904-819-4789, or emailing patientfeedback@flaglerhospital.org. After hours, please ask to speak with the unit director or to the Nursing Supervisor on duty.