Imagine if someone in the family suddenly had chest pain, or if a small child fell while playing and injured his head... we would immediately think, "Oh my God, what do we do now?", right? Most of the time, we would run to the nearest hospital's emergency room, that is, the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) . But it is very important that we have a clear understanding of what time to go to an ETU, what will happen when we go there, and what we should prepare before going. So today, let's talk about that.
What is this Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?
Simply put, an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) is a special department in a hospital that provides immediate treatment for emergencies and accidents. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are prepared to deal with any type of medical emergency, such as car accidents, heart attacks, strokes, falls, and fractures.
The doctors, nurses, and other staff in this unit are specially trained to manage emergencies. This means they have the ability to respond to any emergency situation, whether it be an adult or a small child.
The most important thing is that the ETU works according to a priority system. That is, the most critical patients are given priority. If you go for a minor problem, you may have to wait a while for your turn. This is very important for us to understand.
One of the biggest advantages of the Sri Lankan government hospital system is that it provides emergency treatment to anyone, regardless of financial means. This is a great relief to the people of our country.
In what cases is it necessary to go to an ETU?
An ETU is often crowded, and it's not as comfortable as seeing your family doctor. So we should only go to an ETU in really serious cases where waiting could be life-threatening. Otherwise, if you can wait until you see your regular doctor, that's best.
The table below lists some situations that require emergency treatment.
| Symptom / Occasion | Description |
|---|---|
| Vehicle accidents with serious injuries | After any type of serious accident, you should go to the hospital immediately. |
| Unconsciousness | If someone loses consciousness, it can be a serious condition that affects the brain. |
| Chest pain | Pain, especially chest tightness, accompanied by difficulty breathing can be a symptom of a heart attack. |
| Numbness in an arm or leg or drooping of the face | These are the main symptoms of a stroke. Don't delay for a second. |
| Severe difficulty breathing | If you are having trouble breathing, it is a serious condition. |
| Unstoppable bleeding | If you apply pressure to a wound for 10 minutes and the bleeding doesn't stop. |
| Seizures / Fits | If someone has a seizure for the first time or if the seizure continues. |
| Poisoning | If something poisonous is ingested, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital and take the patient to the ETU while seeking advice. |
| Serious head injuries | If you experience vomiting, dizziness, or loss of consciousness after a fall or an impact. |
| Allergic reactions | Difficulty breathing, rashes all over the body, and facial swelling after an insect bite or certain foods. |
| Vomiting blood or coughing up blood | This could be a sign of internal bleeding. |
| Thoughts of harming oneself or others | This is a mental health emergency and immediate medical attention should be sought. |
What happens when you enter ETU?
If you go by ambulance or become unconscious, you will receive immediate treatment. In other cases, you will first be referred to a process called 'Triage' .
What is Triage?
Here, a trained nurse will quickly assess the severity of your condition.
- Your pulse rate
- Blood pressure
- Fever
- Breathing rate
- Blood oxygen level
- Are you conscious?
This information is used to decide who should be treated first. Patients who are in a life-threatening situation (e.g., without a pulse or severe difficulty breathing) are treated immediately.
After that, you will be taken to an examination room. There, a doctor who specializes in emergency care will examine you and begin the necessary treatment. Depending on your condition, tests such as an `X-ray` and `ECG` (Electrocardiogram) may be ordered.
Finally, the doctor will explain your problem and the test results to you and decide whether you need to be admitted to a hospital ward or whether you can go home and receive treatment. If you are sent home, you will be given a diagnosis card with instructions to follow.
Prepare like this before going to ETU
Going to an ETU can be a daunting experience, but with a little preparation, it can be made much easier.
- Bring your medical information: Be sure to bring details about any allergies you have, chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma), and medications you take. Also keep the phone number of your regular doctor handy.
- Bring all your current medications: It is very important to bring all your current medications, including prescriptions, with you so that the ETU doctor can get a clear picture of your condition.
- Talk, ask questions: Since we don't know you, be clear about your symptoms, where the pain is, and when it started. Don't hide anything.
- Be prepared to be patient: As we mentioned earlier, you may have to wait a while in the ETU, as the most critical patients are given priority. So it's a good idea to bring something like a book.
- Expect to be confined: You may have to stay in a ward, so it's wise to pack a small bag with things like a change of clothes and a toothbrush.
- Request copies of reports: If you have not been admitted, request copies of your test reports and diagnosis card before you go home. These are very important to show to your family doctor.
ETU is an extremely valuable service that can save our lives. But it is our responsibility to use it wisely. Instead of running to the ETU for a minor cold or fever, by trying to see our regular doctor, we can also provide a quick opportunity for someone who really needs emergency treatment.
Take-Home Message
- The Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) is only for life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, stroke, loss of consciousness, and serious accidents.
- When you go to an ETU, understand that you may have to wait a while unless your condition is critical, as the most critical patients are given priority.
- When you go, be sure to bring your medical history, details of any allergies, and all medications you are currently taking .
- After receiving treatment, request all test reports and the diagnosis card and show it to your regular doctor .
- If you are suspicious of any symptoms, it is always safer to go to an ETU and get tested rather than taking the risk at home.
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