Our Emergency Department Registration & Waiting Area is Moving

As of Thursday, March 14, we have closed the previous Emergency Department waiting area and temporarily relocated it inside the Mineral King Lobby. This area has expanded seating and an intake area where we will register patients and take vitals for the next four to five months as we proceed with construction. For more information, visit www.kaweahdelta.org/ED.

El jueves, 14 de marzo, cerraremos el área de espera del departamento de emergencias y la reubicaremos dentro de la sala de espera del lado Mineral King. Esta área tendrá más asientos y un área de admisiones donde registraremos a los pacientes y le tomaremos los signos vitales. Esto será por los siguientes cuatro a cinco meses mientras continuamos con la construcción. Para más información, visite la red www.kaweahdelta.org/ED.

Kaweah Delta Emergency Department

Level III Trauma Center in Visalia

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.

• Step 1: A nurse will welcome you and start your care
• Step 2: Registration will begin
• Step 3: Your medical team will talk with you to determine your plan of care.
• Step 4: You will be seated in a treatment area for care. Your care may or may not include: Lab draws, X-Ray, Medications.
• 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.
• 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.