What to Expect at Mercy’s ER

Please visit the front desk to let us know you’ve arrived.

We apologize for any delay you may experience, but appreciate your patience as we work as quickly as possible to address life-threatening conditions first.  

Note that Mercy’s Emergency Department is a healing environment for patients. As such, we do not tolerate any form of violence, either verbal or physical.

After you check in, your first stop will be with the triage staff, who will collect your vital information – such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature – and briefly assess the severity of your situation.

While our goal is to get you in and out of the ER as quickly as possible, waiting may be unavoidable depending on the time or day that you visit.

Our waiting rooms are designed to ensure you remain as comfortable and calm as possible during what can be a stressful day. While you’re waiting, please don’t hesitate to let the front desk know if your condition worsens or you need immediate assistance.

If lab tests or imaging are ordered during your visit, the results will be posted to your MyChart account. Don’t have a MyChart account? Sign up here.

Unlike an urgent care clinic, the ER does not see patients in the order they arrive. Instead, our emergency providers attend to the most critical patients first.

Patients whose condition is severe are taken directly to an exam room.

To avoid any delays in your care, please refrain from eating or drinking until your nurse or provider has cleared you to do so. Some lab tests or imaging exams are affected by food or drink. 

If your companions are hungry or thirsty when visiting the ER at the main hospital in downtown Cedar Rapids:

• Mercy’s Baggot Street Bistro is a cafeteria on Level 1. After exiting the ER, turn right and walk to the end of the long hallway. Take the elevator to Level 1. When you exit the elevator, turn right and continue walking forward around the angled wall. The Bistro will be on your left.
• Vending machines are available at Minnie’s on the ground floor. After exiting the ER, turn right and walk to the end of the long hallway. Turn left to enter another hallway. Minnie’s will be on your right.

A variety of qualified providers may be involved in your care, including nurse practitioners (ARNP or DNP); physician assistants (PA or PA-C); or medical doctors (MD or DO).

Thank you for your patience as we work through your medical concern.

Emergencies often involve multiple staff members, departments and equipment. For example, delays may occur if we’re waiting for someone to arrive to handle the next task related to your care; if the machine we need for your procedure is currently in use; or if test results are still being analyzed or reviewed.

Once your provider has all they need, they will take some time to develop a plan of treatment and/or follow-up, as well as prepare educational materials for you regarding your condition.

Your care team may also be called away to assist other patients, as well.

Not every patient receives a definitive diagnosis at discharge. Your provider may refer you to a specialist or your primary care provider for follow-up. The purpose of the Emergency Department is to identify and address any immediate, life-threatening concerns.

Mercy offers several opportunities to recognize outstanding caregivers or teams:

• Thank Your Doctor
• Nominate your nurse for The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses
• Share your story to nominate deserving staff for a Mercy Touch Award

Mercy is not responsible for the money, personal valuables, or items of daily living of patients or their companions. Please keep your personal belongings with you at all times. 

No. Mercy policy prohibits the photographing or video recording of staff or other patients without their expressed consent.