Maxwell Blum Emergency Pavilion
Urgent care options
Orthopedic Walk-In in Wellesley
Learn more about our adult emergency room
Learn about our pediatric emergency room
What to expect during your visit
Our collective mission is to treat every patient as we would a beloved family member. We are here for you and will do all we can to provide you with the best possible care in a safe, timely and efficient manner. We also kindly ask for our patients’ help as we work to address their health emergency. We partner closely with our patients to tailor our care to their individual needs.
Parking and Free Wi-Fi
We provide free wi-fi in the Emergency Department. Parking is available in the parking garage located immediately across from the Maxwell Blum Emergency Pavilion. Valet parking is also available.
Personal Belongings
We do our very best to take care of you and we care about your personal items. However, all personal belongings are the responsibility of the patient and/or family members who accompany them. Please leave all valuables and belongings at home. If you arrive with a family member or friend, please have them take all personal items home. Please make staff aware of any valuables in your possession as we recommend they are sent home or sent to the cashier’s office during your stay. Any items that you choose to keep with you, if lost, should be reported to staff immediately. We will do our best to find them, but we are not responsible for their loss.
What if I have suggestions and comments to share?
If you receive a survey following your stay, please provide us with your perspective as we work to improve the patient experience. We also appreciate any positive comments you may have if you were pleased with your experience..
Leadership, Physicians and Staff
Emergency Department Leadership
Erin Beaumont, MD, MS, Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
Ilan Schwartz MD, Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Bryan Canterbury, MD, EMS Director
Physicians & Staff
Get to know the types of emergency medicine specialists that are available to you and your loved ones when being treated at the Maxwell Blum Emergency Pavilion.
Physicians
All physicians in the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Emergency Department are board certified in emergency medicine. Pediatric emergency medicine physicians are onsite daily from 10:00 am to 2:00 am to enhance the care provided by the general emergency medicine specialists on site 24 hours per day. All pediatric sub-specialists and adult specialists are on call for specialty consultation – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Physician Assistants
Under the direct supervision of the Emergency Department physicians, our highly skilled team of physician assistants (PAs) is trained in the treatment and diagnosis of a variety of ED illnesses. PAs can examine patients, interpret lab and radiological studies and prescribe medications.
Nurses
Nurses in the Emergency Department are specially trained in triage assessment and treatment of emergency medical conditions. Using the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) scoring system, the nursing team is highly skilled at prioritizing and maintaining the flow of patients through the department. All nurses in the Emergency Department are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and many maintain additional certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Trauma Nurse Core Course and are credentialed by the Emergency Nurses Association as Certified Emergency Nurses.
Patient Care Assistants
Assistants in the Emergency Department are skilled professionals who perform venipuncture, obtain electrocardiograms, help maintain patient flow in the department and assist the physician and nursing staff in the care of patients during procedures and diagnostics.
Unit Coordinators
The clerical staff in the Emergency Department assists in maintaining the flow of patients throughout their ED stay. By tracking patients and assuring that the ordered tests and procedures are obtained and results are received, the unit coordinators work closely with the physician and nursing staff to insure a positive patient experience.
Child Life Specialists
Child life specialists are specially trained to provide a safe and nurturing environment by incorporating play into the health care experience. They provide emotional support and distraction during procedures, assist with coping techniques and help children and families understand what to expect during their emergency room visit.
Patient Service Representatives
Patient service representatives facilitate communication between patients and family members in the waiting room and between medical staff and families.
Patient Registrars
Registrars meet with you to collect vital personal and insurance information. The information you provide helps us maintain the accuracy of your medical record and facilitates the ordering of tests, X-rays and other services that may be necessary during your evaluation.
Wait Times in the Emergency Department
Newton-Wellesley Emergency Department wait times are approximate and intended for informational purposes only.
We provide care to the most critical patients first.
Patients are evaluated (triaged) on arrival by a registered nurse and are then seen by an emergency medicine provider based on severity. Those determined to require immediate attention will go directly to a room.
- If an ambulance arrives with a critical patient or there is an emergency situation, the wait time for other patients may be affected.
- Severity of illness is the primary factor in determining who gets care first.
- We also consider degree of discomfort and disability, availability of appropriate space, arrival times and duration of wait and the ability to be treated and discharged quickly.
Extended wait times
- We encourage you to visit our check-in desk to ask for a status update if you experience an extended wait.
- We strongly discourage you from leaving our ED before receiving treatment.
- If you must consider leaving before receiving care, please ensure that you visit our check-in desk before leaving.
What causes extended wait times?
- The number of patients seeking emergency care
- The severity of patients’ illnesses
- The availability of inpatient beds for emergency patients to be admitted to the hospital
We have detailed, thoughtful protocols which inform our movement of patients from the waiting room to the appropriate treatment area. Please know that, even while you are in our waiting area, our care team is using this time to evaluate you and preparing to treat you.