Kaweah Delta Emergency Department
Level III Trauma Center in Tulare County
As a designated Level III Trauma Center, Kaweah Delta Medical Center provides
24-hour emergency services for illness and injury in Visalia. We are staffed
all hours of the day with a team of in-house medical specialists, anesthesiologists,
trauma surgeons, a full trauma support team, and contracted staffing provided
by California Emergency Physicians (CEP). Kaweah Delta Medical Center
provides comprehensive Emergency care to patients suffering from critical
and life-threatening illnesses and injuries. The Emergency Department
treats over 90,000 patients each year from Tulare, Kings, and surrounding
counties, making it one of the most expansive emergency services facilities
in Visalia and California.
What to Bring
- All prescriptions, over the counter and herbal medications (Tylenol, Motrin,
etc.), that you are taking or a list of all medications noting dosage
and frequency. This list will allow staff to know which medications can
be used to treat you during your stay or which medications to avoid.
- An accurate medical history noting past surgeries or significant past medical
illnesses. Examples: diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), coronary
artery disease, bleeding disorder, hepatitis, etc.
- One relative or a close friend. Leave children at home. This reduces crowding
and allows staff members to focus their attention on care. Healthy people,
especially young children, are more susceptible to illnesses and should
only visit when necessary.
Medical Interpreters
Medical interpreters and interpreting services are available on an ongoing
basis to assist the culturally diverse populations we serve in the hospital.
Medical Interpreters are available to help patients communicate with hospital
and clinic staff. Call the Interpreter Services Department at (559) 624-5902
or (559) 624-5981 for assistance.
What to Expect
Our emergency department process has changed in order to provide you higher-quality
care in a timely manner. Our goal is to keep you well informed throughout
your care process in the emergency department.
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Step 1: A nurse will welcome you and start your care
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Step 2: Registration will begin
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Step 3: Your medical team will talk with you to determine your plan of care.
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Step 4: You will be seated in a treatment area for care. Your care may or may
not include: Lab draws, X-Ray, Medications.
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Step 5: Your medical team will talk to you about your care visit and explain the
next steps of care. Based on your medical team's care recommendations,
you will be discharged or admitted to the hospital.
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Step 6: You will speak with registration to complete your visit.
Where to Go
While the emergency department at Kaweah Delta will never turn away anyone
who comes in, it's important that people know that what is considered
an emergency may not be a true emergency.
True emergency examples:
- Heart Attacks
- Stroke
- Fractures
- Severe Bleeding
- Chest Pain
- Trouble Breathing
- Head Injuries
- Major Trauma
- Loss of Consciousness
- Severe Headaches
- Confusion
- Severe Abdominal Pain
Ailments better treated at a doctor's office or urgent care center:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Rashes
- Certain Coughs
- Runny Nose
Primary care doctors are a person's best provider because they know
a person's medical history. People without insurance have other options
besides the ED, including the Kaweah Delta Urgent Care facility at 1633
S. Court St., Visalia. Call 559-624-6090 to reach the urgent care clinic.
Trauma Center
Kaweah Delta's Level III Trauma Center in Visalia opened in 2009 with
the goal of improving the medical care of patients with critical and/or
multi-system injuries. Since that time the center has greatly expanded
its size and scope of emergency services, including the addition of a
helipad. Patient care is a coordinated effort between surgery, nursing
and ancillary services, and we strive to deliver it efficiently and seamlessly
in our effort to save lives.
Page: Family Birthing Center
Parent: Our Services
Tulare County Family Birthing Center
Maternity & Infant Healthcare at Kaweah Delta
At Kaweah Delta Family Birth Center, we are honored to be part of your
birthing experience. As a patient focused care unit, we are dedicated
to provide you with the delivery experience you deserve. The Family Birth
Center has specialized caregivers that will be with you every step of
your journey.
Location
Kaweah Delta Health Care District Hospital
400 West Mineral King Ave.
Visalia, California 93291
(559) 624-2000
Labor and Delivery Triage area - 2 East
Labor and Delivery Unit - 2 East
Preparing for the Birth of your Baby
There's a lot to learn when preparing for the birth of your baby. We
want you to be completely confident in the facility in which you give
birth, and at the prospect of going home to being your journey as a new
parent. For that reason we offer several resources to help you prepare
for the birth of your baby:
Preparing for Your Hospital Admission
Before your delivery date arrives, we want you to be as prepared as possible
for the birth of your baby. At Kaweah Delta Family Birth Center, we are
here to help you every step of the way.
We suggest that you pre-register for your birthing admission by your 8th
month of pregnancy. Please take the time to complete the Family Birthing Center
Admission Form and mail or bring it into the Labor and Delivery Admitting Desk along
with your insurance card. Pre-registering for your hospital admission
may save you the discomfort of answering many questions when you are in
actual labor.
Overnight Bag
Before your labor begins, have a bag packed so you are ready when it's
time to go to the hospital. Some items we suggest are:
- Camera
- Hair care products
- Cell phone charger
- Nursing bra
- Glasses (if you wear contacts)
- Shoes/slippers
- Nutritious snacks for designated visitors
- Robe
- Lip balm (for labor)
- Going home outfit for mom and baby
- Lollypops (for labor)
- Make up
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
Car Seat
Make sure you have selected a car seat for your baby that is federally
approved per California law. The car seat should be properly installed
in your car to be ready to take your baby home. Consider visiting a passenger
safety seat inspection location by searching
www.seatcheck.org website.
Parking Instructions
Parking is available at Kaweah Delta Medical Center parking lot, the parking
structure on Locust St., or the Acequia Wing Parking structure located
at Floral Street and Acequia Avenue. Kaweah Delta offers valet parking
between the hours of 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Mineral King entrance only.
Arriving at Night
If you have to come to the Family Birth Center and it is after 9:00 p.m.,
you must enter through the Emergency Room and check in with security.
Security will then direct you to the 2nd floor to Labor and Delivery or
the Labor Triage Unit.
Visiting Policy
Visiting is allowed 24 hours a day for designated support persons with
a bracelet. Visiting procedures vary depending on which unit you deliver
your baby in:
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Labor and Delivery Triage area (2 East) - When you arrive in the Triage Unit, you can designate one support person
to stay at your bedside. Your designated support person cannot be switched
during your stay in triage, for your safety and privacy.
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Labor and Delivery (2 East) - You will be asked to designate three people who will attend your labor,
delivery and recovery. These are the only visitors allowed in your room.
A bracelet will be given to each of your designated support persons and
must be worn while you are in labor and delivery.
What to Expect
As you get closer to your due date or past your due date of pregnancy,
your obstetrician and you may plan for induction of labor. Your obstetrician
or office staff will call our Family Birth Center scheduler for a date
and time for you to arrive at the hospital. The Family Birth Center requests
that you call two hours ahead of your scheduled admission at (559)624-6701
and ask for the charge nurse for bed availability.
Please keep in mind the following rules about photos as you prepare for
the hospital:
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Cell phones - Cell phones may not be used in patient care areas. This includes patient
rooms and hallways. Cell phones may interfere with patient care equipment
and can cause harm to mom and baby.
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Photography - Cameras, cell phones and video cameras are permitted, but may not be
used during the actual vaginal delivery or cesarean section procedure.
Pictures/videos are permitted after birth when your baby has been reported
as stable by your obstetrician or nursing staff.
Labor and Delivery
When it is time to bring your baby into the world, you can trust our birthing
team that includes your obstetrician or certified nurse midwife (CNM),
labor and delivery registered nurse specialist, nursing assistant, certified
registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) or anesthesiologists, and/or labor
doula/birthing coach.
Our Family Birth Center offers up to date technology, private labor and
delivery rooms and experienced staff to deliver compassionate care where
mothers and families enjoy the very best birthing experience.
High-Risk Pregnancies
Your obstetrician may determine your pregnancy falls into a category of
"high risk". We at the Family Birth Center know this can be
stressful and our specialized experienced nursing staff is here to follow
your plan of care developed between you and your obstetrician.
Some "high-risk" categories are:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Pregnancy over the age of 35
- Chronic illness
- Infectious diseases
- Preterm delivery less than 37 weeks
- Pregnancy with multiple babies
Labor Comfort Choices
We encourage patients to take measures that will help them through labor.
Our facility provides assistance of a doula and other services to make
the birth easier.
The following are offered for your labor comfort:
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Labor Support Person - We encourage you to designate a person to support you through the labor
process as part of your plan of care. If this designated person becomes
overwhelmed with the labor process, the Nursing Staff is there to help
or offer the services of a Doula.
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Intravenous Medication - Pain medication, commonly called opiates, is considered the first option
after natural methods for pain relief. Opiates are given in small doses
and usually administered during the early stages of labor. Opiates help
to take the "edge" off the pain. Opiates can help reduce anxiety
and improve your ability to cope with painful contractions.
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Epidural - There are many medications available to women during labor and childbirth.
However, some pain relief choices may be unavailable due to your pre-existing
medical conditions or the stage of labor. Our anesthesiologists and certified
registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) can provide you with the most common
anesthesia in labor that causes few side effects. This may cause some
loss of feeling in the lower areas of your body, yet you remain awake
and alert. Medication is provided continuously through the epidural catheter
so that you maintain pain relief.
Other Services Available
Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking is the process of collecting and storing your baby's
umbilical cord blood stem cells for potential medical use for the treatment
of genetic disease, blood disorders and a wide range of cancers. There
are a variety of companies that process cord blood for banking. The company
you choose will provide you with a cord blood banking kit, make sure you
bring this kit with you upon admission to the hospital. We at the Family
Birth Center and your obstetrician will collect all items needed for your
kit following delivery.
Cesarean Sections
If you have had a previous cesarean section, your obstetrician may determine
that you need to schedule another cesarean section or participate in a
"trial of labor". If you are planning a cesarean delivery, your
obstetrician's office will call the Family Birth Center and schedule
your first time (primary) or repeat cesarean section. Our scheduling office
staff will call you the day prior to your scheduled surgery and provide
you with the following instructions:
- Nothing by mouth after midnight, this includes liquids/water and food.
- Shower the night before and the morning of your surgery. It is recommended
that you use an antibacterial soap such as Dial, but any soap that has
antibacterial on the label is acceptable.
- Arrive to the Family Birth Center two hours prior to your scheduled cesarean section.
Other Services
We also have a
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for infants that need critical care, and a
mother-baby unit were new mothers can rest and visit with their child after delivery. Several
other services are also available through the
Nursery Nook.
Your Satisfaction
We at Kaweah Delta Family Birth Center regard patient satisfaction a high
priority. We hope your stay with us will be pleasant and memorable. Your
nurse will provide you with a survey on your labor experience. The manager
of Labor and Delivery welcomes your feedback on your experience on this unit.
After discharge, you may receive a phone call from a company called Healthstream
that will ask several questions rating your treatment and care during
your stay at the Family Birth Center.
Thank you for choosing the Kaweah Delta Family Birth Center for the birth
of your baby. If you have questions, please call 559-624-2000.