Address: A&E Department, Level -1 of Block D5, Mater Dei Hospital, Dun Karm Street, Msida, Malta
Telephone: 2545 4030
A Patient’s Pathway through the Emergency Department
The triage system is used at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department. Triage is the process by which patients entering the department are categorised according to the acuity (severity) of their symptoms/complaints. This will determine the treatment required. Patients may also be redirected to other departments within the hospital.
Entry is via two routes:
- Ambulance bay
- Reception
Patients can either be referred to the Emergency Department (ED) or simply attend the ED on their own initiative. Referrals can be made by General Practitioners (GPs) at Health Centres or private General Practitioners (GPs). Sometimes, victims of DV are accompanied by police officers who are handling the case.
People Arriving at the Emergency Department via the Ambulance Bay
A person requesting the service of an ambulance needs to call the emergency number – 112, which is answered at the Police Headquarters Control Room. The call is diverted to the relevant department (police, ambulance service or civil protection).
Once the call reaches the Ambulance Service, which is manned 24 hours, the call is answered by a nurse who asks a series of questions in order to determine the appropriate response to the call in question. The more detailed and concise information given, the better the response times. Hence, it is important not to hang up before it is advised to do so.
When patients arrive at the ED, they register at reception and triage is undertaken.
People Arriving via the Reception
People arriving at the ED with their own transport need to go to the reception, register themselves and wait for the triage nurse to call them in.
Patients with gynaecological related symptoms/complaints who are in a stable condition are sent immediately to the Obstetrics Department. If they are unstable, they are initially seen in the Emergency Department until stabilised.
Once triage is undertaken, the patient is directed to one of the three areas of the department. Patients are seen by a doctor who examines and documents any injuries/complaints/symptoms, with the possibility of further investigations such as CT scans, blood tests, and ultrasounds as deemed necessary.
A paediatric section (for children) is also available at the ED. If children (of victims of DV) should require treatment, they should be registered, triaged accordingly and seen in this specialised area.
In cases of DV, the doctor examining the patient fills an injury report by listing any sustained injuries. This report is addressed to the Police Officer on duty at the ED, who will then notify the district police station. The injury report is then registered in reception and kept in a secure place where they are eventually collected by the responsible Police Sergeant taking care of the case. The patient may also decide to take the injury report to the Police Station herself/himself.
Accident and Emergency Department: Flowchart
