Emergency Department

Clinic Information

Grady's nationally acclaimed Emergency Department (ED) treats adult medical, surgical, and trauma patients. Doctors and staff see more than 100,000 patients each year - that's more than 300 patients a day.

Trauma
With it's nationally acclaimed Emergency Department and Burn Unit, Grady Health System is the premier level I trauma center within a 100-mile radius of Atlanta. Grady provides comprehensive care to many of the most critically-injured patients from across Georgia. That's why we say Atlanta can't live without Grady.

As a level I trauma center, Grady staffs a trauma operating room (with surgical team and physician) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in partnership with Emory University and Morehouse schools of medicine. These dedicated doctors, partnered with Grady's highly-skilled and compassionate nurses and medical technicians, are responsible for saving lives.

Grady handles close to 3,000 acute trauma admissions each year. Grady's extended trauma facilities include ready access to surgical suites, burn unit, LifeFlight and AngelFlight (air medical transport programs), Angel II (neonatal transport units) and our Emergency Medical Service (ambulance program).

The ED is divided into eight areas.

Triage
All patients who present to the ED for care are first evaluated in the Triage area. This evaluation helps us determine the severity of your injury or condition. You are then assigned to the appropriate treatment area. The Triage area helps us ensure patients spend as little time as possible in the waiting room. Based on this assessment, patients are moved to one of our treatment sites as soon as possible.

Patient Ambulatory Care Express
The Patient Ambulatory Care Express's (PACe) mission is to treat people seeking emergency care at the ED for relatively minor conditions. The PACe facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed primarily by nurse practitioners and physician assistants. PACe sees patients rapidly by assessing their conditions, treating, and where necessary referring to appropriate outpatient clinic.

Blue Zone
The Blue Zone is designed to treat medical emergencies, although any patient who presents for care may be seen in this area. A major resuscitation room anchors this area along with eight critical care rooms, seven respiratory isolation rooms, and several general patient care areas. All rooms are capable of cardiac monitoring.

Red Zone
The Red Zone area is designed to treat major and minor trauma patients, though any patient may be evaluated in this area. Two large trauma bays, with the capacity for four simultaneous major trauma patients, anchor this area. This area also has general care rooms, an orthopedic room, a gynecology evaluation room, and an eye, ear, nose, and throat room. All rooms are capable of cardiac monitoring.

Asthma Area
Patients with mild to moderate asthma are evaluated in the asthma area, while those with more severe symptoms are seen in the Red or Blue zones. This area is staffed with a nurse and during high-volume times, a respiratory therapist.

Care Management Unit
The Care Management Unit provides an alternative to hospital admission. All patients are evaluated by a case manager who helps coordinate care, provide education, and ensure appropriate follow-up. The unit admits patients directly from the emergency department. Patients receive their initial evaluation and treatment in the general area of the ED.

Red/Behavioral Observation Unit
Grady operates the region's only 24/7 Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) and Crisis Stabilization Unit. Many of these patients require a medical evaluation prior to or in addition to their mental healthcare. This closed unit, with a 24/7 observer stationed in the area, allows for the necessary medical evaluation. Once stabilized, patients are immediately transferred to the PES for the completion of their evaluation.

• Laboratory Services
• Pharmacy
• X-Ray
• Ultrasound
• Translation Services
• Social Services
• Financial Counseling

Transferring trauma, surgical critical care or burn patients to Grady Memorial Hospital's Trauma Center just got a lot easier.

If your patient requires the care of a Level I Trauma Center, surgeons are prepared to consult with you and accept your patient.

One call is all it takes – 1-866-472-3989.

Parking (Butler Parking Deck) is on Jesse Hill Jr. Drive and is attached to McDonalds. This is the only parking available in the area and is reserved exclusively for the Grady Health System campus. Click here for directions.

Parking costs $1 for each 20 minutes; up to a maximum of $5 per day.