Stony Brook University Hospital Emergency Department Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Bring?

A phone charger
A list of your current medications and allergies
- You may find this form helpful
Recent or important test results or other medical records
- These can be on paper or else accessible online via patient portal
Your insurance card if you have one
A copy of any advance directives (paperwork explaining your wishes regarding your health care)
- Examples are MOLST, health care proxy, and DNR/DNI forms
A family member or other companion if you might need their help
- Note that depending on the situation, you may be limited to 1-2 visitors at a time

We recommend not bringing valuables. You may be moving around the department for different tests, so it is best not to bring anything to the ED that is not absolutely needed. Note that you are responsible for your own belongings.

What Happens After I Arrive?

First you will check in with the Greeter so your name can be entered into our electronic medical record system.
Tell the greeter if you have been treated at Stony Brook Hospital before and if your name has changed.

The Triage Nurse identifies patients with the most immediate health needs. The sickest patients are treated first, even if they arrive after you.
The Triage Nurse will check your vitals and ask you about why you came to the ED, along with other state-mandated questions.
An EKG (electrocardiogram) may be performed at this point, if appropriate.

If your visit falls during our busiest hours (11am-11pm), you may be evaluated next by the RAP provider in order to reduce wait times for testing while you are waiting to be seen by a physician.
This involves a brief assessment by a physician extender (physician assistant or nurse practitioner) who may at this time order laboratory studies, IV placement, and imaging studies (xrays, ultrasound, CT scan, etc.).

You may be asked to return to the Waiting Room at this point. Wait times are unpredictable, and depend on the number and illness severity of patients arriving in a given time frame.
If you develop new symptoms or feel you are getting worse, ask to speak with a nurse.

Finally, you will be brought into the main treatment area.
Here you will be seen and evaluated at more length by a team consisting of nurse, a resident physician, physician extender, or medical student, and an attending physician.
Additional testing may be performed.

Wait times at all points in an ED visit can vary from hour to hour and day to day.
It usually takes at least one hour for a laboratory test or x-ray to be completed. If you are having a CT scan or ultrasound, additional time is needed for these to be interpreted by a radiologist.
We realize that any delays can be frustrating, particularly if you need something or have questions. We try to inform and update patients and families in a timely manner, but if we fail to do so please remind us.

Will I Be Able to Go Home?

The decision to discharge you, admit you to the hospital, or keep you in the ED for a period of observation rests on  many factors. These include: your symptoms and physical examination findings; your baseline health status and past  medical history; any test results; your circumstances; and your preferences.

If the decision is made to discharge you:

Your findings, including any test results, will be reviewed with you
You will be given written discharge instructions including
- Information about managing your symptoms or medical condition
- Recommended follow-up care with an outpatient medical provider
- The phone number for the ED Follow-Up Office in case you have questions after you leave
- A QR code for accessing the Patient Portal for viewing your test results, discharge instructions, and medical notes
- The name of the ED doctor who oversaw your care
- A list of any medications you received
- Any prescriptions sent electronically to your pharmacy
The nurse will remove your IV

If the doctor feels you would benefit from observation and you are in agreement:

You will remain in the ED until it is clear that you either require admission (hospitalization) or can safely be discharged home; this decision should be reached within 24 hours.
Your progress and vital signs will continue to be monitored by a nurse, a physician and a physician extender.
You will receive meals if there is no medical reason you should not.

If the decision is made to admit you:

You will be assigned to an inpatient medical service and will be evaluated by a medical provider from this service.
You will be assigned a room on an inpatient ward.
You will remain in the ED until the room has been made ready for you.
You will receive meals if there is no medical reason you should not.

What Should I Bring?

What Happens After I Arrive?

Will I Be Able to Go Home?

Other Frequently Asked Questions