Hackensack University Medical Center’s Emergency Trauma Department is a state designated Level II Trauma center, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, treating all ages from neonates to geriatrics.
More than 74,000 people visited the Jeffrey M. Creamer Emergency/Trauma Department last year. About one-third of these visits resulted in admission to the medical center, and two-thirds being treated and released.
The Department of Emergency Medicine is run under the direction of Joseph Feldman, M.D., chairman and Edward Yamin, M.D., vice chairman. As a Regional Trauma Center, attending surgeons specializing in trauma are present around the clock.
In addition to the physicians, the team comprises staff in the fields of nursing, respiratory care, technicians, consumer affairs; clerical and other support staff, as well as an extensive network of specialists, including plastic surgeons.
Beyond the main emergency room treatment area for adults, there are separate areas and staff for:
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Pediatric Emergency Medicine
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Prompt Care: For those who need care quickly, but do not need to be amid the activity of the main emergency room. Patients are seen here by Certified Adult Nurse Practitioners.
Hackensack University Medical Center also has a Mobile Intensive Care Unit with locations throughout Bergen County, and coordinates the County Mobile Intensive Care Communications Network.
For example, when a heart attack is suspected, the Mobile Intensive Care Team is able to transmit information to the Emergency Trauma Department physician before the patient arrives. This saves valuable time in getting the proper medication ready and notifying the cardiology staff, the patient’s personal physician, and other cardiac diagnostic and support services.
The medical center is one of only a few medical centers in New Jersey with the capability of receiving the 12-lead ECG information via computer before the patient’s arrival. Based on this and other information provided by radio, the Emergency Trauma Department staff has a preliminary diagnosis and treatment plan by the time the patient arrives at the medical center.
In addition to our current facility, Hackensack University Medical Center is expanding the Emergency Trauma Department beginning in November 2011, and is planning to have all the work completed by early 2013. The $52 million project includes not only the revamping of the existing ambulance drop off, but will also upgrade the Emergency Trauma Department as well as add more operating rooms.
Nancy Radwin, Marketing and Communications Manager explains that “this project is another step for Hackensack University Medical Center in striving to fulfill our missions to serve the community as a valued resource by leading the pursuit of health care excellence”.
The plans call for the conversion of semiprivate curtained cubicles in the emergency room to fixed-wall private ones, which will better accommodate new technologies and equipment.
Although the emergency room won’t accommodate additional beds, it will be larger and the department will have five specialty sections for cardio, cancer, trauma, geriatric and pediatric trauma.
The second floor of the new building will contain four operating rooms, two that will be “hybrid” and allow for not only traditional use, but also cardiac catheterization and high-tech procedures done by heart and vascular specialists. The emergency room will remain open while the construction is under way.