When Emergencies Happen, We Are Here for You 24/7.
Experienced and Compassionate Care Close to Home.
Emergency Medicine
Wayne General Hospital Emergency Department -601- 735-7115
If there is a medical emergency, dial 911.
The Wayne General Hospital's Emergency Department is staffed 24 hours a day with specially trained emergency physicians, emergency nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. The department's comprehensive triage system ensures that patients with the most serious conditions will be treated first. Wayne General's Emergency Department serves as a referral center for other area hospitals.
Trauma Center
Wayne General Hospital Emergency Medicine Department is designated by the State of Mississippi as a Trauma Center.
The following services are available 24hrs/day:
• Surgery
• Radiology Services
• Obstetrics
• Anesthesia
With a trauma center designation, the trauma center also has a full-time Trauma Medical Director, full- time Trauma Program Manager, and a full-time Trauma Registrar to ensure that patients are receiving optimal trauma care.
Staff Training
The staff in our Emergency Department is certified in the latest programs offered from the American Heart Association and Emergency Nurses Association which includes courses like:
• Advanced Burn Life Support• Advanced Cardiac Life Support• Advanced Trauma Life Support• Basic Cardiac Life Support• Certified Emergency Nurse• Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course• Pediatric Advanced Life Support• Trauma Nursing Core Course
Specialty Equipment and Procedures
The Wayne General Emergency Department is capable of performing advanced medical andtrauma resuscitation and stabilization.
The Emergency Department is equipped with:
• Advanced airway equipment• Automated CPR device• Central monitoring station• Limited Emergency Ultrasound• Twelve lead Electrocardiogram• Non-Invasive Ventilation Technology• Mechanical Ventilation• Invasive line placement and hemodynamic monitoring• Advanced imaging studies such as: CT scan, CT Angiography, Echocardiograms, MRI, and ultrasound• Specialized pediatric resuscitation equipment.
Emergent Conditions
The Wayne General Emergency Department is capable of evaluating and stabilizing any emergency condition to the same degree as any other emergency department. After early diagnosis and rapid stabilization is achieved, the patient is then transferred to an appropriate facility with the specialty services required for continued management.
Conditions frequently encountered include but are not limited to:
• Acute Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke care and stabilization• Acute Myocardial infarction care and stabilization• Multi System "ALPHA" trauma patients• Pediatric medical and traumatic emergencies• Patients with A c u t e Severe Infections and Sepsis• Snake Bites• Reduction and stabilization of fractures and dislocations
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Wayne General Hospital's Department of Emergency Medical Services is staffed 24 hours a day with Nationally Registered Paramedics. Wayne Generals EMS is one of the most advanced EMS services in the state of Mississippi with medical direction available 24 hours a day from the specialty trained emergency medicine staff. The goal of Wayne General's EMS is to serve as an extension of the Emergency Department and deliver high quality advanced life support services in the community setting. Wayne General's EMS provides the following services to Wayne County and the surrounding areas:
• Responds to emergency and 911 calls.• Performs Emergent and Non- Emergent transfers to tertiary care facilities.• Provides medical standby coverage to support local law enforcement agencies.• Provides medical standby coverage at local sporting and civic events.
Staff Training
The Wayne General Emergency Medical Services staff is certified in the latest programs offered from the American Heart Association and nationally accredited EMS training programs which includes courses like:
• Critical Care Paramedic• Advanced Burn Life Support• Advanced Cardiac Life Support• Basic Cardiac Life Support• Basic Trauma Life Support• Pediatric Basic Trauma Life Support• Prehospital Trauma Life Support• Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Specialty Equipment and Procedures
The Wayne General Emergency Medical Services is capable of performing advanced medical and trauma resuscitation and stabilization. The EMS units are equipped with:
• Advanced airway equipment• Automated CPR device• Twelve lead Electrocardiogram• Emergency medications and IV Fluids• Intravenous and intraosseous vascular access• Needle Chest Decompression• Non-Invasive Ventilation Technology• Mechanical Ventilation• Extrication equipment for entrapped victim extrication
Emergent Conditions that Necessitate EMS Activation
The Wayne General Hospital Emergency Medical Services are capable of evaluating and stabilizing emergency conditions. When EMS arrives on scene, the EMS crew will obtain a history and conduct a physical exam and then initiate care based on the patient's condition. The patient will then be transported to the closest appropriate facility. Conditions that warrant the use of EMS include but are not limited to:
• Altered mental status.• Assaults with traumatic injuries
• Behavioral Emergencies Breathing Difficulty• Chest Pain• Diabetic Emergencies• Falls with traumatic injuries.
• Gunshot and knife stab wounds• Motor Vehicle Accidents• Overdoses
• Strokes
Wayne General Hospital Emergency Department can be reached by phone at 601- 735-7115. If there is a medical emergency, dial 911.
We are committed to providing quality patient care. The first thing to do as a patient of the Emergency Department is to register in the patient registration area. This will ensure that the triage nurse knows that you are waiting. If you are a patient and waiting to see the doctor, please do not eat or drink. Doing so could delay or interfere with treatment or alter the results of tests.
Triage
To ensure that the most ill patients receive immediate care, our emergency department uses the triage system of evaluation so that critical cases, such as people suffering from heart attacks or injuries from serious accidents, are treated first. A registered nurse will give your initial assessment. You will be placed in a category based on the severity of your illness and will be seen in that order. Please be reminded that during your visit with us, we may be receiving other patients through our ambulance entrance.
Vital Signs
The triage nurse will take your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and a brief medical history. This helps to speed our process, so please have all medical information (i.e. physician's name, any allergies, all medications that the patient takes) ready and available.
Registration
After being assessed by the triage nurse, you or your family should check in at the registration desk. The registration clerk will complete your record. It is important that we receive accurate information should the hospital need to contact you after your visit. If a bed is not available in the ED, you may be asked to sit in the waiting room until one becomes available.
Patient Treatment
Depending on the emergency, treatment may be simple or complex. The physician or nurse may deliver treatment. It may consist of splints, intravenous fluids, bandages, or medications. Treatment may take a few minutes or several hours depending on the specific illness or injury and the presence of other critical patients.
Nurse Assessment
Inside the emergency department, a nurse will perform a physical assessment and note findings for the doctor. Because of patient privacy laws, your family or friends may be asked to wait outside the treatment area until the initial assessment by the physician is completed. Also, please understand that without a patient's permission, we may not be able to discuss details regarding their condition with anyone. After the assessment, the patient will then be examined by one of the ER doctors or the patient's personal physician. You reserve the right to call your primary physician and have him or her meet you at our emergency department. This will help to decrease your waiting time.
Physician Assessment
The physician will order tests or X-rays that he/she deems necessary after the examination. Tests may be ordered by the doctor and carried out before you have a chance to see the physician. A member of the hospital staff will accompany you if it is necessary to leave the ED for a procedure or test. Obtaining results of tests/X-rays may take as long as one to two hours. If, at any time, you do not understand a specific procedure, please ask the doctor or nurse. As soon as your lab work and test results are available, the results will be discussed with you. Additional tests may be necessary.
Hospital Admission or Discharge
A doctor will decide if you are to be discharged from the ED or admitted to the hospital. The ED doctor may speak with your personal physician or other specialist about specific treatment. If you are admitted to the hospital and there is no room available, there may be a delay in the ED until another patient is discharged. As soon as a room is prepared, you will be taken to the room. If you are discharged, the nurse will provide a copy of discharge instructions and any prescriptions the doctor has written.
Meet Our Emergency Medicine Providers
Courtney Adkins, AGACNP, FNP
Education:
• Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP and FNP), University of South Alabama• Paramedic Certification, Creighton University• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Chamberlain College of Nursing• Associate Degree in Nursing, East Central Community College
Professional Certifications:
• ANCC AGANCP-BC• ANCC FNP-BC• Physician Assistant Certified, NCCPA• University of MS Medical Center Telemedicine Program• ATLS, ACLS, PALS, BLS, TNCC, CCRN, AMLS, NRP, STABLE, ENLS
Matthew T. Burkhalter, MSM, NRP, PA-C
Emergency Physician Assistant/Associate
Education:
• Master of Science in Medicine, Mississippi College• Bachelor of Health Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center• Associate of Applied Science, EMS, Hinds Community College
• Paramedic Certification, Hinds Community College
• EMT Certification, Hinds Community College
Professional Certifications:
• Board Certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)• Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP)• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider• American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider• Advanced Trauma Life Support Certified (ATLS)• Advanced Stroke Life Support Certified (ASLS)• Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Trained (PHTLS)• Emergency Pediatric Care Trained (EPC)• Advanced Medical Life Support Trained (AMLS)• Advanced Burn Life Support Certified (ABLS)• EMS Safety Trained• Hazardous Materials Technician Certified (Mississippi State Fire Academy)• Certified Volunteer Firefighter I(Mississippi State Fire Academy)• FEMA National Incident Management System 100, 200, 700, 800 Compliant
Damon A. Darsey, M.D., FAEMS
Education:
• The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Residency, Emergency Medicine
• The University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine, MD• The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Graduate School, MS• Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business, BBA• Methodist Medical Center, Paramedic Program, Certificate Paramedic
Specialty Certification Licensure:
• American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM)• Emergency Medical Services (ABEM)
David Andrew Porter, DMSC, MSM, PA-C, EM-CAQ
Education:
• Post Doctoral Graduate Certificate, Healthcare Administration & Management, University of Lynchburg• Doctor of Medical Science, Advanced Professional Practice, University of Lynchburg• Certificate, TelEmergency Medicine Didactic & Clinical Training, University of Mississippi Medical Center• Master of Science Medicine, Physician Assistant Studies, Mississippi College• Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, William Carey University
Professional Certifications:
• Certified Healthcare Financial Professional, Healthcare Financial Management Association• Emergency Medicine -CAQ, NCCPA• Physician Assistant Certified, NCCA• Advanced Trauma Life Support, American College of Surgeons• Advanced Cardiac Life Support, American Heart Association• Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association• Basic Life Support, American Heart Association• Community Health Advocate, University of Mississippi Medical Center
James Jason Rogers, MSN, NP, NRP, FNP-BC ACNP-BC, ENP-BC
Administrative Director Wayne General Hospital Department of Emergency Services Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Education:
• Master of Science in Nursing- Emergency Nurse Practitioner, University of South Alabama• Associate of Science in Nursing, Jones County Junior College• Bachelor of Science in Health Related Professions/Biology, William Carey College• Associate of Science in Emergency Technology Jones, County Junior College• Certificate of Completion, Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy
• Certificate of Completion Emergency Medical Technology-Paramedic, Jones County Junior College• Certificate of Completion Emergency Medical Technology-Intermediate Jones County Junior College• Certificate of Completion Emergency Technology-Basic Jones County Junior College• Certificate of Completion Practical Nursing Jones County Junior County College
Professional Certifications:
• Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner• Board Certified Acute Care Nurse• Board Certified Emergency Nurse Practitioner• UMM Tel-Emergency Nurse Practitioner• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic• Board Certified Critical Care Paramedic• Board Certified Flight Paramedic• Board Certified Critical Care Transport Registered Nurse• Board Certified Flight Registered Nurse• Board Certified Neonatal and Pediatric Critical Care Transport Provider• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor• American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructor• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Instructor• International Trauma Life Support Instructor• Advanced Trauma Life Support Provider• Advanced Disaster Life Support Provider• Advanced Burn Life Support Provider• Neonatal Resuscitation Provider• Tactical Paramedic Provider
Tiffany King
FNP/AGACNP
Education:
- MSN Dual FNP/ AGACNP – University of South Alabama- Graduated May 2022
- BSN- University of Southern Mississippi- Graduated 2012
- AA- Copiah Lincoln Community College- Graduated 2009
Professional Certifications:
- Basic Life Support
- Advanced Life Support
- Pediatric Life Support
- ENPC
- NRP
- ANCC FNP-BC
- ANCC AGACNP-BC
- ATLS