Buffalo Hospital

From injuries, to illness and major life-changing events like a heart attack or stroke – it is comforting to know you are close to Buffalo Hospital’s Emergency Department. We provide expert care to more than 17,000 patients a year. You can trust that our specially trained team of emergency doctors and nurses are ready to care for you with the most advanced lifesaving equipment and technology available.

Our doctor’s are all board-certified in emergency medicine and have trained at Level I Trauma centers. Our doctor’s are part of EPPA or Emergency Physicians Professional Association and care for patients at five metro hospitals. We also have a wide-range of specialists on call for emergency treatment, including orthopedics. Full-service imaging and laboratory services are available 24 hours a day.

Time is critical

In an emergency, every moment is critical and it’s important to get to the closest emergency room. If a higher level of care is needed than what is available at Buffalo Hospital, for instance, patients suffering from a stroke require care from a neurologist – Buffalo Hospital’s emergency team immediately begins tests and treatments, stabilize you and arrange transportation by ambulance or helicopter if needed for your condition. Buffalo Hospital has earned a reputation for quick, expert care and you can feel safe in choosing us.

When you are hurt or don’t feel well, you want quick attention. At Buffalo Hospital, we have the shortest wait times in all of the Twin Cities and work quickly to diagnose and treat you. And if you need a prescription before going home, InstyMeds, an automated system that dispenses prescriptions, is available in our lobby.

As a non-profit hospital, we treat all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

When to visit the emergency department

If you have a medical emergency, please call 911.

The American College of Emergency Physicians offers these warning signs that may indicate a medical emergency and signal you need to go to closest Emergency Department.

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
• Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness
• Changes in vision
• Confusion or changes in mental status
• Any sudden or severe pain
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Suicidal feelings
• Difficulty speaking
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual abdominal pain

Children

Children have unique medical problems and may display different symptoms than adults. Symptoms that are serious for a child may not be as serious for an adult. Children may also be unable to communicate their condition, which means an adult will have to interpret the behavior.

Signs that indicate you should take your child to the Emergency Department include the following.

• If your child is younger than one month – and has a temperature of 100.4F or higher.
• If your child is not acting right, such as not making eye contact, feels limp and lifeless or has a strange cry.
• If your child is having difficulties breathing or starts to turn blue - call 911.
• If your child’s fever doesn’t come down below 101 an hour after fever medicine.
• If your child has a seizure.
• If your child shows signs of a urinary tract infection (painful urinating, going more often, foul smell).
• If your child shows signs of dehydration - not crying tears, a dry mouth and dry diapers for 12 to 24 hours.
• If your child shows skin symptoms - a rash that doesn’t go away when you press on it, new and unexplained bruising, painful red swelling on one or more joints.

Urgent Care

For non-emergency illnesses or injuries, Buffalo Hospital’s Urgent Care is located within the Emergency Department.

Urgent Care hours:

• Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

What to expect at the Emergency Department

It’s helpful to understand what takes place when visiting the Emergency Department. We are committed to providing excellent, timely care. Our first priority is to save lies, so the most severely injured or ill patients are seen first.

• Triage nurse
  Upon arrival, patients first check in at the registration desk, then meet with a triage nurse. The triage nurse will assess your vital signs, medical concerns and history. The triage nurse makes sure patients with the most urgent needs are seen by a doctor first.
• Registration
  Registration is typically completed at your bedside. It is helpful to bring a list of current medications, list of allergies and insurance. If your insurance requires a co-payment, you will need to make a payment before you go home.
• Diagnosis and treatment
  Patients are seen in private exam rooms by a board-certified emergency doctor. If you require imaging services such as an X-ray, MRI or CT scan, those services are just down the hall. When all tests results are reviewed, your doctor will decide whether you will be discharged or admitted to the hospital.
• Going home
  Once your doctor determines you can go home, you are provided with complete discharge instructions. If you need a prescription, InstyMeds, an automated system that dispenses prescriptions, is available in our lobby.

Your care team

During your visit, your care team may include an emergency doctor, a registered nurse, medical or radiology technician and a laboratory technician.

Visitors

In most cases, one visitor at a time is allowed at your bedside. This will allow your medical needs to be met and privacy maintained.

Relatives and friends are asked to remain in the Emergency lobby area unless their presence is absolutely necessary for your care. Staff will keep friends and family informed about your care and treatment as much as possible.

Why are some people seen sooner than others?

We are committed to providing you with excellent patient care, no matter what your illness or injury. Because our first priority is to save lives, the most severely injured or ill patients will be seen first. If you are asked to wait but begin to feel worse, please tell the nurse right away.

Why can’t I eat or drink while I’m waiting?

You might be asked to refrain from eating or drinking because your physical condition may require testing or surgery. After the doctor evaluates you, please check with the doctor or your nurse about eating or drinking.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment time depends on each individuals health condition. Buffalo Hospital’s average time from arrival to see a doctor is about 30 minutes, and typically, patients are on their way home within two hours from arrival.

If you have a complicated health problem, you may be in the Emergency department for many hours. Your health problem may require numerous tests and your doctor may need to consult with specialists.

If your illness or injury is life-threatening, it may take several hours to stabilize you condition. You may be transferred to another Allina hospital or need to be admitted to Buffalo Hospital for ongoing care.

Why did I have to wait when the staff did not look busy?

Staff and doctors are waiting for diagnostic test results and often can't proceed with other treatment or diagnosis until the test results are available.

How can I get my medical records if I need them?

You can pick up copies of you medical records from Health Information Management services (Medical Records) at Buffalo Hospital. Please call 763-684-7818, in advance, so your records can be prepared for you. You will need to sign a release of information form before receiving the records.

Why can’t you tell me what this will cost?

Unless a diagnosis is performed, we cannot tell you exactly what the estimated cost will be. After the doctor evaluation occurs, he or she dictates a report describing your care. Once the report is transcribed, charges are electronically posted to your account. The charges can be obtained in about two to three days after your visit. Be advised that along with the hospital bill, you may also receive bills from the Emergency department physician group, radiologist and pathologists (lab).

Who can help me if I have a concern or would like to comment about my care in the Emergency department?

We welcome your questions and concerns - they help us improve our care. If you do not feel comfortable talking with the staff who treat you, you can speak with the Service Excellence coordinator, charge nurse, Emergency department manager or director.

Why can't I get any medical advice over the phone when I call?

Unlike your primary doctor, the Emergency department staff is not familiar with your medical history, general health, or health care concerns; therefore we cannot provide accurate information related to treatment or diagnosis over the phone. We will always be glad to see you in person in the Emergency department.