Dramatic Expansion of Treatment Rooms
In 2004, Olathe Medical Center's Emergency Care Center expansion nearly doubled its capacity and now can accommodate up to 70,000 patients annually. The extra beds have decreased wait times for our patients. The new rooms are bigger and more private.

Computerized Radiography Technology
Olathe Medical Center has installed Computerized Radiography with the renovation of the Emergency Care Center. Computerized Radiography sends an x-ray image to a computer instead of printing on film.

With the new system, the image is transferred to a computer where it is displayed on a monitor within a matter of minutes. What used to take 30 minutes now takes 10!

The physician receives a much clearer picture because images can be computer enhanced to view problem spots better. Emergency Medicine physician Ronald J. Karlin said, “It is fantastic! The images are incredibly sharp and when we get the x-ray on our reading station, we can magnify and manipulate the images to see much more than ever before. With a hard copy sheet of film, you only get one look. This is a remarkable advance in patient care.”

All of the pictures are kept in a database, which is easily accessible at any time. This also allows the image to be saved on a CD for the patient’s future use. Within one year, film should be obsolete at Olathe Medical Center.

Triage
" Triage" is the first part of your treatment. Upon arrival, a registered nurse will evaluate and prioritize your condition. The acuity or urgency of your condition determines the order in which you will be seen. In an Emergency Care Center or Emergency Department, it is extremely important that the most emergent patients are seen first. This is not based on the order of your arrival.

Every effort is made to provide care to you in a timely manner. However, if we are not meeting your expectations, please ask. It takes time to determine the severity of your condition based on the final results of all of your lab, radiology and cardiac tests.

The registration process requires a signed consent for treatment agreement. Parental or legal guardian consent is necessary in the treatment of a child. If you plan on someone caring for your child while you are gone, please stop by and pick up a "Just in Case Form".

Visitors
Emergency treatment requires space to operate. Your family and visitors are important to us and every effort will be made for you to be together. Please understand, however, that to provide care efficiently and to provide privacy for you and other patients, there may be times when we have to control the number of visitors you receive.

Discharge Information
When you leave, you will receive directions to continue your care. It is critical that you understand and follow these directions. Patients should also arrange for follow-up care, as directed in their discharge instructions. The medical center, the ER physician, the radiologist will bill you and your insurance individually and other physicians involved in your emergency care, if applicable.

What To Do in an Emergency
When an emergency occurs, teach your family to dial 911. When you call for help, speak calmly and slowly. Be prepared to give the name, address, phone number and location of the victim (such as an upstairs bedroom) and the nature of the problem. Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to because additional information may be needed.