The emergency department can be a scary place to visit. ER Consulting Inc. understands this and would like to reassure you that all our staff are all here to help you at your time of crisis. We are an extensive doctors’ practice that operates in South Africa to provide emergency care to patients. All doctors employed by ER Consulting Inc. are fully trained and have undergone additional training in emergency care provision. First Care Solutions (Pty) Ltd is our partner company, providing our administrative structures and training platforms.
Understanding an emergency department is critical in reducing your stress in an emergency situation. In South Africa, emergency departments are outsourced by hospitals to a private practice who is required to provide an emergency service according to specific governance rules and levels. ER Consulting Inc is the largest such group in South Africa and operates services in 25 emergency units currently.
First Care Solutions (Pty) Ltd and ER Consulting Inc. have experience dating back to 1998. We have developed systems and processes to deliver a world-class service. Emergency Medicine is a complicated area of medicine in that it operates 24 hours, all year round, therefore requires specially trained medical professionals. As a result, emergency departments can be expensive places to visit. In addition, all other specialists (including X-rays/laboratories) are called in to back up the emergency department doctors. All of these specialists come at an additional cost.
The following are essential to know when going to the emergency room:
- Triage System: Patients are attended to in order of how sick they are, not in the order they necessarily arrive. This process is called triage and ensures that the most ill patients are seen first.
- Shift Work: Doctors work in shifts in emergency medicine, meaning the same doctor will not always be on duty if you return later that day or the next day. Please bring your clinical record with you for ease of reference should you return.
- Identification: Please bring identification (or a friend who knows you) to the emergency department.
- Medical Aid: Present your medical aid card upon arrival, if you have one. Emergency department visits are typically paid for by your medical aid from your medical savings account unless your condition is classified as a “Prescribed Minimum Benefit” (PMB).
- Clinical Records: After your visit, you will receive a copy of your clinical record. Retain this document for your doctor to refer to in future consultations.
If you are ever unsure or need advice, please call the emergency department and speak to one of the nurses or doctors. Alternatively you may contact a virtual doctors on www.carefirst.co.za. When you feel concerned that you are not getting better, return to the emergency unit immediately and get help.
Do you need more information about emergency preparedness or training? Please contact our training partner company, the Africa Institute of Emergency Medicine (Pty)Ltd who will assist you.