Erahaigla

Erahaigla is the term used in Estonian healthcare to describe the emergency hospital or the emergency department of a hospital. It provides urgent medical care for people with acute illnesses or injuries that require rapid assessment and stabilization. Erahaigla operates 24 hours a day and accepts patients through emergency medical services (ambulance) as well as walk-ins, with initial triage to determine priority of care.

Core functions include triage and rapid assessment; stabilization of life-threatening conditions; immediate management and resuscitation as needed; diagnostic testing such as blood work and imaging; observation and short-term monitoring; initiation of treatment; consultation with specialists when needed; admission to hospital or discharge with instructions; referral for follow-up or transfer to another facility.

Staff typically include emergency physicians, nurses trained in acute care, mid-level clinicians, paramedics, radiology technicians, laboratory staff, and on-call specialists. The capacity and services of erahaigla can vary by hospital and region; some centers include fast-track areas for minor injuries or conditions to reduce waiting times, while others may be part of larger trauma or critical care networks.

Erahaigla plays a key role in the health system by providing timely care for time-sensitive conditions such as heart attack or stroke, coordinating prehospital care with ambulance services, and serving as a hub for acute referrals. After initial treatment, patients may be observed, discharged with follow-up plans, or admitted to specialized departments for further care.