Emergency Services
ER Check-In
Bluffton Regional Medical Center's emergency department delivers the care you need in emergency situations, with:
- Board-certified physicians who are members of the same physician group that covers some of the busiest emergency centers in Fort Wayne
- ER nurses certified in ACLS, BCLS, PALS and TNCC
- All digital diagnostic equipment
- Well equipped surgical suites
- Fast access to the network's critical care services
- Online check-in for serious conditions that aren't life-threatening
The ER also participates in Lutheran Hospital's Level 1 Heart program. In instances where more advanced care is needed, ground and air transportation are just a phone call away, courtesy of the Lutheran Hospital critical care transport team.
ER Online Check-In
If you have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
If you need to visit the ER with a serious injury or illness that isn't life-threatening, consider online check-in. This free, easy-to-use service allows you to choose your designated treatment time online and then wait in the comfort of your own home until that time.
Patients are seen by a healthcare provider as close to their designated time as possible. However, since ER staff must treat patients based on severity of illness or injury, your time is not guaranteed. This service does not allow patients to skip in front of other visitors; all patients are seen based on the hospital's standard triage and queuing process.
ER Wait Times
ER wait times are provided as an informational service to the public. They are approximate and are based on a rolling 60-minute average that is updated every 15 minutes. The times are the direct output from the ER clinical computers.
FAQs: ER Wait Time
What does the time mean?
The ER wait time is defined as the amount of time that passes from the time the patient checks in at the ER desk to the time he or she is initially seen by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Wait times are always dependent on the severity of the illnesses and injuries of other patients also in the ER. Patients with life-threatening conditions are always treated first.
Does posting the wait times affect how patients are prioritized?
Although the goal is to see each patient quickly, patients with life-threatening conditions are always treated first.
How does the ER maintain quality care if speed is the priority?
Quality care always comes first. The ER process focuses on getting patients into rooms and seen by a clinical professional as quickly as possible for diagnosis and treatment after appropriate triage.
Is posting the wait times really necessary for an emergency room?
In many emergency rooms across the country, wait times have been increasing. LHN wants to ensure patients that it is dedicated to not only offering quality care but also providing that care as efficiently as possible.
FAQs: ER Online Check-In
Q. Is my reservation time a guarantee?
A. No, it is not. The hospital will do its best to see when you arrive, but if there are sicker patients ahead of you, they may be seen first.
Q. What does this service cost?
Nothing. It is absolutely free for patients.
Q. Can I use ER check-in even if I do not have insurance? What about Medicare or Medicaid?
A. ER check-in is free for everyone. It does not matter what insurance you have or whether you do not have any. Upon arrival, once you have received a medical screening exam and are stabilized, you may be asked to arrange for payment.
Q. What if I check-in, and then start feeling a lot worse?
A. If you are feeling worse, do NOT wait for your check-in time. Go to the ER immediately. If you feel that your condition is life threatening, call 911 right away.
Q. When I arrive, will I see a doctor right away?
A. You will be seen by a healthcare professional who will evaluate your condition and decide on the best course of action for you. You may be seen by a nurse, physician, physician assistant or some other combination of healthcare professionals.
Q. I don't need to go to the ER anymore. How do I cancel my check-in time?
A. When you check-in for a projected treatment time, you will receive an email with details, including how to cancel. Please consult that email to cancel your check-in time.
Q. I checked in online, but now I cannot get there on time. Can I adjust my time?
A. When you check-in for a projected treatment time, you will receive an email that includes a cancellation link. Please consult the cancellation link in your email confirmation, which has simple instructions on how to cancel and re-check-in for another projected treatment time.
ER Visit FAQs
What can you expect when you come to the ER?
When you arrive at the ER, you'll be greeted and your information will be entered into the hospital computer system. Next, you'll be evaluated by a nurse who will ask for more detail about your medical problem, including background information. Then, you'll be taken to an exam room for appropriate tests and treatments.
How long does an emergency department visit take?
Time spent in the emergency department varies widely, due mainly to the seriousness of the illness and the number of tests needed. Patients leave the emergency department with exam and test results.
When should I visit my primary care provider instead of the ER?
In general, minor illnesses or conditions - common colds, minor skin rashes or other minor problems - should be treated by a primary care provider or through an urgent care clinic.
What tests can be performed in the emergency department?
Most basic and advanced diagnostic tests can be performed in the emergency department. Tests that aren't immediately necessary can be scheduled after you've been discharged from the ER.
What happens if the emergency physician recommends hospital admission?
If your condition requires you to stay in the hospital, the emergency physician will contact your primary care physician or the appropriate specialist and arrange for them to admit you to the hospital. That physician assumes responsibility and directs your care while you're in the hospital.
What does "board-certified emergency medicine physician" mean?
A physician who is board certified in emergency medicine has completed four years of medical school, followed by three to four years of specialized training in emergency medicine. The training focuses on recognizing and managing any and all medical conditions that present to the emergency department and includes learning about life-saving interventional procedures.
All emergency department patients receive a medical screening exam regardless of their ability to pay.