A&E

Immediate hospital care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital offers a 24-hour A&E service in Madrid, open every day of the year, for the assessment and treatment of acute conditions and situations requiring immediate medical attention.

Located in Pozuelo de Alarcón, the service features triage, urgent care and observation areas, an intensive care unit, diagnostic facilities and direct coordination with the hospital’s medical and surgical departments.

24-hour A&E · 365 days a year

24-hour emergency care

The A&E Department is equipped to deal with acute medical conditions of varying complexity at any time of day.

From the moment the patient arrives, the aim is to carry out a proper medical assessment, prioritise care according to severity, guide the diagnosis and begin the necessary treatment quickly and safely.

Under the leadership of Dr Mihai Podaru Galca, the department is organised around a multidisciplinary team and a care pathway designed to respond to both minor conditions and more complex situations.

When should you go to A&E?

Certain symptoms or sudden changes in your health may require urgent medical assessment.

Severe or sudden-onset pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness, acute neurological symptoms, serious injuries, bleeding or a sudden deterioration in general health are some of the situations that may warrant treatment at A&E.

In the event of a life-threatening emergency or if the patient is unable to travel safely, the emergency services should be contacted.

Triage and medical assessment in A&E

Care is organised through a triage system that classifies patients according to the severity and urgency of their clinical condition. This system allows us to prioritise those who require immediate intervention and to adapt healthcare resources to the level of complexity of each case.

For this reason, the order in which patients are seen does not depend solely on the time of arrival, but on the clinical priority established during the initial assessment.

Areas of care within the A&E Department

The Department has separate areas that enable care to be tailored to the needs of each patient:

• Consultation rooms for less complex conditions.

• Urgent care areas equipped to assess and treat patients.

• Observation area for clinical monitoring and re-assessment.

• Critical care area for unstable patients or highly complex situations.

This organisation facilitates structured care and allows healthcare resources to be scaled up in line with each patient’s progress.

Diagnosis and treatment in A&E

An emergency assessment may require various diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the symptoms and guide treatment. Depending on the clinical situation, the team may request laboratory tests, imaging tests, monitoring or other investigations available within the hospital.

The information obtained is interpreted in conjunction with the physical examination and the patient’s clinical progress, with the aim of making rapid and informed decisions.

Critical Care

The critical care unit is dedicated to the immediate care of patients in particularly serious or clinically unstable conditions.

It is equipped to respond to cardiovascular, neurological and trauma emergencies, as well as other situations requiring continuous monitoring, life support and a coordinated response. Where necessary, the A&E Department mobilises the relevant hospital resources and specialists to ensure continuity of care.

Observation and Short-Stay Unit

Some patients need to remain under medical supervision for a limited period before a final decision can be made.

The Observation Unit enables us to monitor the patient’s progress, complete diagnostic investigations, assess their response to treatment and determine more accurately whether the patient can be discharged or requires hospital admission.

This facility enables care to be tailored more closely to the clinical progress of each individual case.

Coordination with specialists and hospital departments

One of the main advantages of an Accident and Emergency Department integrated into a hospital is the ability to coordinate care with other specialist departments when the situation requires it. Cardiology, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Surgery, General Medicine and other medical or surgical departments may be involved in the patient’s assessment, depending on the findings and the complexity of the case.

This coordination ensures continuity of care from the initial assessment through to discharge, observation, admission or referral to the appropriate unit.

Patient-centred care

Visiting A&E can cause uncertainty for both the patient and their family and friends. For this reason, in addition to clinical care, the team endeavours to clearly explain the situation, the tests carried out, the decisions taken and the next steps.

Information and support form part of the care process from the moment of arrival until the episode is resolved or the patient is referred to another department.

24-hour A&E in Pozuelo de Alarcón

The A&E Department at the Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital is situated in Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

As it is part of the hospital, patients have access – when their clinical condition requires it – to diagnostic facilities, observation and intensive care units, and a range of medical and surgical specialities.

Frequently Asked Questions about A&E

Is the A&E Department open 24 hours a day?

Yes. The A&E Department at Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Do I need an appointment to visit A&E?

No. Emergency care does not require a prior appointment. Patients are assessed on arrival and prioritised according to their clinical condition.

How is the order of treatment decided?

Through a triage system that classifies patients according to the severity and urgency of each case. This ensures that those at greatest clinical risk are treated first.

What tests can be carried out in A&E?

Tests are requested based on each patient’s clinical condition and may include laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, monitoring or other investigations available within the hospital.

Does the hospital have an observation ward?

Yes. The Department has an Observation Unit for patients who require monitoring, re-assessment or further investigation before a decision is made on discharge or possible admission.

Can another specialist be involved during treatment?

Yes. When the situation requires it, the A&E Department coordinates the assessment with the various medical and surgical specialities at the hospital.