Because time is such an essential factor in emergency treatment, EDs typically have their own diagnostic equipment to avoid waiting for equipment installed elsewhere in the hospital. Nearly all have radiographic examination rooms staffed by dedicated radiographers, and many now have full radiology facilities including CT scanners and ultrasonography equipment. Laboratory services may be handled on a priority basis by the hospital lab, or the ED may have its own "STAT Lab" for basic labs (blood counts, blood typing, toxicology screens, etc.) that must be returned very rapidly.
beCause time is such aN EsseNTIaL FaCtor In emerGenCY treatMENT, eDs tYpICaLly haVE their oWn dIaGnOstic equipmEnt tO avoId waitinG For equipMent iNstAlled elsEWhEre iN the hospitAl. nearlY AlL hAve radIoGRaPHic examiNaTiOn ROoMs StafFEd By DediCatEd RAdIoGRapHers, AnD MAnY nOw Have Full raDiologY fACilItiEs Including Ct scanNers aND ultRasOnograpHy eQUipmenT. laBoratorY SErvices May bE hAndled on a prIOrITy bASis by THE HosPiTAl lab, OR thE ed MAy HavE Its own "StAT lAb" For Basic Labs (blOod CouNts, blOOd typiNG, toxIcOlogy sCreeNS, etc.) tHaT MUst be reTurnEd veRy raPIdlY.