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A: Yes. You should bring identification, insurance cards, and a list of your medications and dosages. You should also know your medical history, your allergies, and the names of your doctors.
A: Each visit to the hospital requires a new record for the visit. While some information can be looked up from your previous visit, it is very important that we verify your personal and your medical information every time that you need to access our services. We need to make copies of your insurance and identification cards, and your medication list every time.
A: We see all types of emergencies, from very minor to life-threatening. The triage nurse has special training to sort patients according to how quickly they need to see a doctor and where in the emergency department their problem can best be treated. As a result, patients are not always seen in the order of their arrival. We strive to get all patients in to see a doctor as soon as possible.
A: No. Patients are seen according to the nature of their medical problem and the area of the department which is best equipped to handle their medical problem.
A: An MRI is not a test which is needed on an emergent basis. If an MRI is indicated, you will need to obtain a prescription from your primary physician or the physician that you are given to see for follow-up care. Once you have the prescription, the MRI can be scheduled through our Outpatient Department.
A: The broken bone is immobilized using casting material which acts as a splint, rather than a traditional cast which totally surrounds the hand, arm, foot, or leg. A traditional cast is applied by an orthopedic surgeon at a follow-up visit in their office, usually within a few days of your emergency department visit.
A: X-ray images are now digital, meaning that they are electronic and viewed on a computer terminal. If your physician is on staff at Community Medical Center, he or she can view these images from their office. If your physician is not on staff, your images can be placed on a special CD which you can take with you for your follow-up visit. Under certain circumstances, an image can be printed on film for you to take with you. There may be a waiting period to have the CD or images prepared for you.
A: We treat all patients according to their medical problem regardless of their insurance or ability to pay. After your medical treatment, if you do not have insurance you can see our financial counselor to discuss options, including whether or not you are eligible for charity care.
A: We will not give out any information about a patient’s condition. We can only confirm that you are a patient, unless you ask us not to.
A: All patients coming to the emergency department will be seen by an emergency department doctor. If necessary, the ED doctor will contact your doctor to discuss your medical problem. If you are admitted to the hospital, your doctor will assume your care. If you are discharged, you will need to follow-up with your doctor.
A: No. If your doctor knows that you were a patient in our emergency department, he or she can look up those results any time from a hospital-based computer. In addition, you or your doctor can call the Medical Records Department (732-557-8132) and ask that a copy of your record be faxed to the doctor’s office.
A: No. We do not have a retail pharmacy on the premises, and we are not authorized to provide medication samples. If indicated, the doctor will order that you receive the first dose of your prescription while you are here. There are many local retail pharmacies and several are open 24 hours daily.
A: No. The emergency department doctor prescribes what he/she feels is best indicated for your medical problem. If you later find out that your plan does not cover the prescribed medication, your pharmacist can call the emergency department doctor and recommend a substitution which the doctor can then order.
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Frequently Asked Questions