The MaineHealth Waldo Hospital Emergency Department provides advanced emergency care in Belfast, Maine - 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. We treat patients of all ages, regardless of ability to pay for services.
Expert care for life-threatening emergencies
Anyone can have a medical emergency. If the injury or illness is life-threatening, call 911 or go to the closest hospital emergency department. Do not drive a car if you are having a life-threatening medical emergency. Call 911 for an ambulance. Medics can start treatment on the way to the hospital.
Our experienced emergency care team includes board-certified physicians, registered nurses and emergency care technicians. We offer private rooms, state-of-the-art trauma rooms and dedicated spaces for patients experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Because we are part of MaineHealth, referrals to a wide range of specialty care providers are fast and easy when needed.
Where to go for care
Health care continues to be busier than ever. Know your options for same-day care.
More about our services
When you first arrive in the ED, a receptionist will notify the triage nurse and ask for your name and date of birth. If you are already receiving care or are otherwise unable to answer these questions, we will ask a family member or friend to provide this information.
A trained triage nurse will assess the severity of your injury or illness. The nurse will ask you why you came to the ED, what medical problems you have, what medications you are taking and if you are allergic to anything. The triage nurse will also take your temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, and will ask you to rate any pain you are experiencing on a scale of 0 to 10. The nurse may also order lab tests or radiology exams.
A physician will create a plan of care that could include medication, diagnostic tests or IVs while you are here. Your primary nurse will initiate care. If necessary, specialists are on call to provide specific services. Based on the assessment and the results of diagnostic tests, you may be admitted to the hospital or discharged with written instructions for you to follow.
Your wait time depends on the severity of your condition and on the availability of treatment space and providers. We may start care while you are waiting. You will be assessed by a triage nurse and if needed, we may start certain tests. Our team is here to support you while you wait.
We see patients based on the urgency of medical conditions. This means that patients with more severe conditions will be seen before you, even if you got here first. The urgency of your medical condition is assessed by a triage nurse after you are registered.
All patients, including those who arrive by ambulance, are triaged (assessed) when they arrive. Even patients that arrive by ambulance may need to wait to see a provider based on their medical condition and availability of treatment space.
Learn more about emergency care at MaineHealth and read answers to frequently asked questions.
