Emergency Department

------- Important Information -------

Department Staff can not give medical advice over the phone.

Info Line: (808) 433-6629                                   Fax: (808) 433-4982

"Quality, Personalized and Accessible Healthcare for Military Beneficiaries"

The Tripler Emergency Department is the emergency referral center for the entire Pacific Regional Medical Command.  In addition to taking care of our active duty, retirees, family members and veterans here in Hawai'i, we receive patients from all over the Pacific to include the Trust Territories of the South Pacific.  We are capable of administering care for major and minor medical emergencies and are equipped with our own ambulance service and helipad for medical evacuations.

Our mission is to provide the highest quality emergent and urgent medical care to our beneficiaries.

We are a 16-bed facility treating 100 to 180 patients per day with an average annual census of 44,000 patients.

In addition to our emergency service, there is a Department of Defense medical facility with an acute care clinic located at each of the major military installation on Oahu.  These clinics can be contacted by clicking here for their telephone number.  Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, Hickam Air Force Base, Makalapa (Pearl Harbor) and Schofield Barracks each have an Acute Care Center available to see most minor emergencies.  Because the Tripler emergency room (ER) is a referral center, we encourage all of our beneficiaries to utilize their Primary Care Manager (PCM) as their first means of medical care for non-urgent medical issues.

Having problems getting a primary care provider for yourself or your family?  The Health Benefits Office is available to help you!  Their number is (808) 433-3422.

If you feel that you have a true medical emergency: Call 911 for an ambulance.

The Emergency Department (ED) can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating place to receive healthcare.  Be assured however, that we will do everything we can to help answer any questions that you may have during your visit to our service.  Of course, we must prioritize patients so that the critical and life threatening illnesses are treated first.  This may mean that less serious illnesses may not be seen in the order that they come in to the ER.  We try very hard to keep the waiting time to a minimum, but wait time may vary with the number of patients and the severity of the illnesses that are currently being treated.

If you find that you need to bring yourself or a family member to our emergency service, here are some things that you can do that may improve your visit:

• Bring a list of medications and correct doses.  If you don’t know these, then bring the medications in with you.
   

• Be sure to let the triage nurse know of any allergies or significant medical problems that you may have.
   

• Have someone available to drive you home.  Sometimes we give medications that don’t allow you to drive.

Every patient is important to us.

Every patient will receive attention as quickly as we can provide it.  Our busiest times are after duty hours, on weekends and holidays.  Critical and life threatening conditions are seen first.  Patients with less serious conditions may have a much longer waiting times particularly during busy hours.  Patients over two years of age, with non-critical conditions can be seen by our Physician Assistants in the Quick  Care between the hours of 9:00 AM and Midnight, 7 Days a week including holidays.  Patients may be seen “out-of-turn” due to the need for an x-ray, procedure, prior to seeing a physician.

To help you through your visit to the ER, here is an example of a typical visit: 

• Check in at the ER Registration Desk.
   

  • The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) will create a chart to document your visit.
     

  • You will be asked why you are here and current address, phone and insurance information.
     

• Visit the Triage Nurse:
   

  • The triage nurse is the first health professional you will see.  He or she will need descriptions of your illness, medications and allergies.
     

  • Patients waiting for treatment will be prioritized by need severity of symptoms and condition on presentation.
     

  • The triage nurse can provide first aid supplies, such as Tylenol, Motrin, bandages, splints or ice packs if needed.
     

  • Your blood pressure and temperature will be recorded at this time.
     

  • You may be asked to provide a urine sample, visit radiology for x-ray imaging, or have a blood sample drawn during this phase of your visit.
     

  • Following this initial evaluation of your injury or illness, you will be directed to the appropriate waiting area.
     

• Waiting to be treated:
   

  • We try to minimize the time spent in the waiting area.  Your comfort, while waiting, is important to us.  We ask that you refrain from eating or drinking while awaiting treatment, due to this may effect treatment length.
     

  • Those accompanying you are welcome to use the hospital’s snack area, located on the first floor, Oceanside.
     

  • If you wish to inquire about the status of a patient, please use the beige wall phone in the waiting area.  This telephone rings at the nursing station.  The staff will be happy to provide you updated information.
     

• Treatment:
   

  • As soon as possible, you will be called and taken to a room in the Emergency Department or Quick Care for an appropriate evaluation and treatment of your problem.
     

• Physical Examination:
   

  • A healthcare provider will perform a physical examination.  If injury or illness requires a specialist, one will be consulted to aid in your evaluation.
     

  • The Emergency Department at times can be very busy and over crowed.  We ask that only one support person accompany patients to help protect privacy.
     

• Discharge and Follow-Up Care:
   

  • If your problem does not require hospital admission, you will be discharged from the Emergency Department.
     

  • Written instructions detailing home care procedures will be explained by a health care professional and given to you.
     

  • Please do not hesitate to ask questions regarding your concerns.
     

  • You may receive a follow-up referral or prescription for medication.  Appropriate actions to facilitate either will be explained by a health care professional.  The Tripler Army Medical Center pharmacy is located on the fourth floor, mountainside.
     

• At home:
   

  • Should you have questions or experience additional problems after returning home, please contact your primary care clinic or manager.
     

  
  
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