EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

When you come through the Emergency entrance, you will be greeted by a Patient Access Representative and Triage Nurse. Our goal is to bring you straight to a treatment room if one is available. We’ll even complete the registration process at your bedside to enhance your privacy and expedite your care.

Depending on the seriousness of your condition, you may be seen in the rapid care area of the Emergency Department, which was designed to reduce the total amount of time spent in the Emergency Department by expediting the treatment of patients with less serious illness and injuries.

We opened a brand new Emergency Department in March 2020 following a major modernization project on the hospital main campus. Some of the features of the new Emergency Department include:

• 17 private treatment rooms, including a specialized trauma room, pediatric room, gynecology room, rapid care area, and two rooms designated for psychiatric emergencies
• Decontamination facilities for biohazard emergencies

In the Morris Hospital Emergency Department, physician services are provided by EPIC Group, an independent group of board-certified emergency medicine physicians. Emergency medicine physicians are specially trained to evaluate and treat patients during the early, and often most critical stages of an illness or injury. The treatment team also includes physician assistants and nurse practitioners, who compliment the care provided by the emergency physicians. Patients will receive a separate bill from the EPIC Group.

The highly skilled registered nurses in the Morris Hospital Emergency Department all have certifications in emergency pediatric care and advanced cardiac life support. Many of our emergency nurses have additional certifications such as a trauma nurse specialist and emergency communications radio nurse.

The emergency team works closely with paramedics and emergency medical technicians from over 15 ambulance services throughout Grundy, LaSalle, Kendall, Livingston and Will counties.

Morris Hospital holds the following specialized designations and certifications related to care in the emergency department:

• Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics designation by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Primary Stroke Certification from the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, which serves as notice to the public and emergency medical services that Morris Hospital has the capacity to stabilize, diagnosis and treat acute stroke patients.

Pediatric patients require specialized care. As part of our commitment to caring for families with young children, we have voluntarily achieved designation by the state of Illinois as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics. This means we have the specially trained staff, equipment and supplies needed to effectively provide emergency care for children, including nurses who have completed the Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course or have certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support. For pediatric patients who require a hospital stay following their emergency visit, our Pediatric beds are designed to accommodate the medical needs of young patients.

As an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics, we are also committed to providing educational information to help parents keep their children safe and healthy. Please follow this link to our Kids Corner where you will find helpful parenting resources.

For peace of mind, parents may wish to complete our Consent for Emergency Treatment form that is available on our Forms Page under Pediatric Forms. This authorizes medical treatment of minor emergencies for children under age 18 when parents are away or unavailable. If medical treatment is required in your absence, the person caring for your child should present the completed form at the emergency department registration desk.

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers has achieved Primary Stroke Certification from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).

The certification serves as a notice to the public and emergency medical services that Morris Hospital has the capacity to stabilize, diagnosis and treat acute stroke patients, provide acute care, administer medications quickly, and provide rehabilitation therapies safely and efficiently.

In order to achieve Primary Stroke Certification, Morris Hospital has demonstrated that it meets the following standards:

• The program director has extensive experience in acute stroke.
• The stroke code team responds to the patient bedside within 15 minutes.
• Lab testing, advanced imaging, and neurologists are available 24/7.
• Neurosurgical expertise is available or the ability to transfer patients within two hours.
• A designated stroke unit is available.
• Staff demonstrates competency in specific educational requirements.

ACHC stroke certification differs from other certification programs in that it provides a three-year certification award with a mid-cycle review at 18 months. In addition, hospitals must submit quarterly clinical performance measures to the ACHC office and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Additionally, Morris Hospital is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Know the Stroke Warning Signs

Any easy way to remember the warning signs of Stroke is by remembering the acronym BE FAST:

B stands for Balance Loss. Is the person suddenly leaning to one side or staggering when walking?

E stands for Eye/Vision Trouble. Is there a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes? Double vision that doesn’t go away when you blink your eyes? No side vision or vision about midline?

F stands for Face. Is the person experiencing facial droopiness or numbness or difficulty seeing?

A stands for Arm or leg. Is the person experiencing numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, especially if it’s on one side of the body or having troubling walking or experiencing loss of balance?

S stands for Speech. Is the person having trouble speaking or understanding?

T stands for Time. Time is of essence. Every second counts. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

Support following a Stroke

Our stroke and aphasia support group meets quarterly for individuals and their loved ones who have experienced the loss of physical function or communication due to a stroke or other neurological event. For more information, visit the Events & Classes page on our website or contact our Speech Therapy department at 815-705-7411.

Individuals presenting to our emergency room with concussion symptoms after a bump, blow or jolt to the head will be evaluated for a concussion. Patients who are diagnosed with a concussion may be referred for priority care treatment through our concussion management program.

Athletes should not return to sports if they’re experiencing signs and symptoms of a concussion.