The mission of the Emergency Department of the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority is to provide residents and visitors of the Virgin Islands with acute and emergency care on a 24 hour continuum. This service is carried out by trained competent professionals in a safe, client-centered environment that embraces the theory that “man is a holistic being”.

The Department consists of an eight bed Observation Area which includes a Trauma/Resuscitation Room, an Asthma Bay for nebulization and an Urgent Care Area for minor or acute conditions, supported by registration and billing on site.

SERVICES:

EMERGENT CARE – Heart Attack, Stroke, Seizure, Trauma Cases such as Motor Vehicle Accidents, Gunshot or Stab Wounds, Burn

URGENT CARE – Severe Dehydration in Children and the Elderly, Hypertensive Urgencies, High Blood Sugar, Fractures, Asthma Attacks, Small Lacerations

ACUTE CARE – Flu, Common Cold, Headaches, Fever, Vomiting and Diarrhea

All persons utilizing the Emergency Department are sorted or organized based on the severity of the presenting complaint. This is done through a triage level system known as the Emergency Severity Index (ESI). This is to ensure that the most ill patients are seen immediately and appropriate care given to all patients.

TRIAGE LEVELS

The levels of triage range from one to five with one being the most critical and life threatening. All triage levels are coded by colors and signs are posted in the Department indicating these color codes.

LEVEL ONE – Color Code Red

Persons in this category are assessed to have life threatening conditions and are treated immediately in the Observation Bay.

LEVEL TWO – Color Code Orange

Persons in this category are assessed as having a potentially life threatening condition, and is in very painful distressed, confused, disoriented and are high-risk patients. These patients will be placed once a bed is available, ASAP.

LEVEL THREE – Color Code Yellow

Persons in this category are assessed and will need more than two resources or two type of investigations in care and treatment. These persons may have to wait in the waiting room or be placed on a bed if needed.

LEVEL FOUR – Color Code Green

Persons in this category are assessed as needing one resource or intervention. Level four patients may wait in the waiting room to be seen by the urgent care physician.

LEVEL FIVE – Color Code Blue

Persons in this category will need no resources and are seen in urgent care for physician examination with prescription, advice and/or clinic referral. If there are long delays persons may be advised of alternate options such as given a referral to a the Community Clinic.