Emergency Care

Emergency Department
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center
20900 Biscayne Boulevard
Aventura, FL 33180
Telephone: (305) 682-7000
Map & Directions | Free Emergency Card

If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or 911.

Our Commitment to You

It is the policy of Aventura Hospital and Medical Center that anyone who comes to our emergency department for examination and/or treatment of any emergency medical condition or for active labor will receive examination, stabilization treatment and/or transfer as determined by the patient's needs and the capabilities of the hospital.

The provision of emergency services and care shall not be based upon, nor affected by, the person's race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, pre-existing medical condition, physical or mental handicap, insurance status or ability to pay for medical services.

Need help finding a physician?

For routine health matters and check-ups, contact your primary care physician. Regular check-ups with a primary care physician is the best way to maintain good health.

Visit Find a Physician on this website, or call 1-888-256-7692 for a free physician referral.

The Emergency Department: What to Expect

Triage

A triage nurse will assess you upon your arrival and will evaluate your chief complaint and vital signs. Your priority of treatment is based upon the severity of your illness, as determined by the triage nurse. You will be seen in the order of arrival time, unless you are determined to be seriously ill or unstable. Patients who are determined to be emergent will be taken to the treatment area immediately.

Registration

The registration clerk will obtain information for your medical record, including billing information. The registration clerk will obtain authorization for treatment from your insurance company. Your being seen and treated by the emergency department physician will not be delayed by the registration process or insurance verification. All patients will be medically screened, evaluated and stabilized regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

Waiting Room

If you are stable, you may have to wait for a bed to become available. You will, however, be made as comfortable as possible while you wait and the staff will keep you advised as to the status of your visit.

How Long Will I Be Here?

The time you can expect to be in the emergency room will depend upon a number of factors including:

• Your complaint and the evaluation and treatment that is necessary
• The number of incoming ambulances with urgent cases, which is very unpredictable
• The number of patients waiting for treatment at any given time and the severity of their illness or injury. Although your problem is certainly important to us, your patience and understanding in treating life-threatening cases before treating less severe cases are greatly appreciated.
• Blood and urine test results are available about one hour after specimens are collected. Please be advised that other tests may take longer.
• If x-rays are ordered, they are usually obtained in the order requested, except for those deemed "urgent." The length of time needed for x-rays to be taken and evaluated is dependent upon the number of patients in the emergency department at the time.

Possible Dispositions

• Discharge after treatment is completed. We will supply you with written and verbal discharge instructions (and prescriptions if indicated) before you leave the hospital. Please allow us time to do this, as it is important to your medical care
• Consultation with (or referral to) your own doctor or a specialist. The time this may take depends upon your doctor's/specialist's availability and response time. We will keep you notified of your status but please be aware we cannot control physicians' schedules or other emergencies
• Admission to the hospital and transfer to your room. This requires orders from your admitting physician (NOT the emergency department physician), the availability of a room and communication from the emergency department nurse to the floor nurse. Your patience in this situation is greatly appreciated.
• Transfer to another facility. In the event your insurance company or physician requests a transfer or if you should require a service not provided by our facility, arrangements will be made as expeditiously as possible.

Family and Friends of Emergency Department Patients

We appreciate your concern about your family member or friend who is a patient in our emergency department. We will inform you of any progress being made in the evaluation, as well as any change in the patient's condition. Please keep in mind that the patient's care is our highest priority.

Emergency Related Health Content

Stroke Warning Signs
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
CPR Adults
CPR Children
CPR Infants
Insect Allergies
Insect Bites
Bone Fracture (Broken Bone)
Food Reaction/Allergy