Skip to main content

You are here:

  1. Home
  2. Emergency Department
  3. Are you a patient or visitor?
  4. What to expect as a patient

What to expect as a patient

Patients arriving at the Emergency Department (ED) of St. Vincent’s University Hospital may arrive by ambulance, self-present or be referred by their GP.

Step 1: Reception

  • Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, all patients are directed immediately to the reception area.
  • A set of medical records is prepared and the patient is provided with an identification bracelet. Any notes from previous Emergency Department attendances will also be reviewed.
  • Please tell our receptionist if you have severe chest pain, shortness of breath or are feeling very unwell. If you are a person with Parkinson’s, please tell our receptionist this also.

Step 2:  Triage

  • Patients are assessed by a triage nurse who assigns a priority rating determining the order of treatment.
  • Based on their needs, the patient may be asked to take a seat in the ambulatory area or be directed to a specific zone in the Emergency Department for immediate care.
  • The nurse will also assess whether any pain relief is needed. Some patients may be asked to remain fasting in case they need surgical intervention.
  • Patients who arrive by ambulance are taken to a receiving bay and allocated an appropriate triage category from there.

Step 3:  Clinical treatment areas

Patients will attend one of four main treatment areas, depending on their triage category:

  • Zone 1 – Resuscitation area for critically ill patients
  • Zone 2 – Major illness/injuries area
  • Zone 3 – Ambulatory area
  • Zone 4 – Patients who may require isolation

Step 4:  Discharge or Admission

  • Patients who do not require specific treatments available only at St. Vincent’s University Hospital may be admitted to St. Michael’s Hospital in Dún Laoghaire or St. Columcille’s Hospital in Loughlinstown.
  • Our priority is to transfer patients to an inpatient ward bed as soon as it is safe and feasible to do so.

For more information about arriving at the Emergency Department, visit our list of frequently asked questions. You can also find out what to expect as a visitor to the Emergency Department.

Emergency Department