Emergency Department

When you arrive at the Emergency Department, a triage nurse will assess how quickly you need treatment and where you need to go for your care.

Please have the following information ready:

• The reason for your visit to the Emergency Department
• A list of your current medications and allergies

The triage nurse will also record your vital signs, including your pulse, blood pressure, temperature and breathing rate. If your condition changes, please let the triage nurse know right away.

Please leave your personal belongings and valuables at home or with a companion.

Once triaged, a registration clerk will create your chart and give you an identification wristband.

Our health-care team will use your chart to document your care.

Please have the following information ready for your chart:

• Your full name and address
• Your health (OHIP) card
• Information about any other health insurance plans
• The name of your primary care provider
• An emergency contact phone number

Patients with the most urgent needs are seen first, regardless of arrival order. Conditions in the Emergency Department can change quickly, which may delay your care. We know waiting is difficult and thank you for your patience.

We have recently experienced higher-than-normal wait times in our Emergency Department. Wait times depend on several factors, including available resources and staffing.

Our medical team sees everyone who registers at the Emergency Department. If you are not experiencing an emergency, please consider other options, including contacting your primary care provider or specialist, visiting Ontario Health 811 or using the Toronto Virtual Emergency Department.

When you move to the treatment area, a primary nurse will assess you again. This nurse is responsible for your care while you are in the Emergency Department.

Depending on your assessment and test results, an emergency health-care provider may:

• Treat you within the Emergency Department
• Send you home with instructions
• Arrange for you to follow up with your primary care provider
• Arrange a follow-up appointment with a specialist at Mount Sinai
• Call in a consulting health-care provider or specialist to determine whether you need to be admitted to the hospital

Please note that we are a teaching hospital, so you may see medical students, residents or fellows as part of your care. Learners are supervised by other members of our dedicated health-care team who work together to provide you with comprehensive care.

Specialized services

We offer several specialized services for patients in the Emergency Department.

Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM): Nurses, specially trained to identify potential mental health or cognitive challenges, connect older adult patients with community resources and support.

Maximizing Aging Using Volunteer Engagement (MAUVE): Specially trained volunteers work with the care team to provide older adult patients with comfort, companionship and support during their visit.

Psychiatric Emergency Services: Psychiatrists and mental health clinicians provide mental health support directly within the Emergency Department.

Pathway to Peers: We provide support for youth and young adults ages 16 to 29 who come to the Emergency Department for mental health and addiction concerns.

Visitors play an important role in keeping our hospital safe. To keep patients, visitors and our people safe, only patients who meet specific criteria may have visitors in the Emergency Department.

Please review the current visitor access guidelines for the Emergency Department.

When you leave the Emergency Department, you will receive:

• A pink copy of your chart
• Your blood work and imaging results
• Instructions on what to monitor at home, including signs that you should return to the Emergency Department
• Follow-up instructions for your primary care provider or a referral to a specialist, if needed

We may also give you guidance on managing your care at home. The Emergency Department has developed the following evidence-based resources for patients and caregivers.

• Back pain
• Head injury
• Kidney stones
• Vaginal bleeding
• Vertigo

Before you leave, please make sure you understand your discharge instructions. If you have questions, speak with your primary nurse.

Please do not take photos or record audio or video in the Emergency Department. This protects the privacy of patients and staff and complies with privacy laws.

Our team will ask you to delete any unauthorized photos or recordings. Anyone who does not cooperate will be asked to leave.

• Health (OHIP) card or valid health-care coverage
• Photo identification with your current address
• A list of your current medications
• A list of your current health-care providers

Please leave valuables at home.