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Emergency Care

The Emergency Care Center at St. Joseph's is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our experienced staff is here to care for you and your family any time there's an emergency.

Our doctors, nurses and technicians are skilled in treating seriously ill and injured patients and they will provide the best care for your needs.

While we care for patients with a wide variety of illness and injuries, we have special expertise in treating:

• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Gastric bypass problems
• Kidney stones

If you suspect a heart attack or stroke

If you are experiencing chest pain or symptoms of stroke (such as weakness, dizziness, confusion or numbness), it's important to call 911 immediately and get to the ER as quickly as possible.

At the ER, our highly skilled team will use the newest technology to reduce the risk of damage to your heart or brain and decrease the chances of long-term effects.

What to expect in the ER

When you arrive, a nurse will check your vital signs, evaluate your condition and ask about your health history. This process is called "triage," a French word meaning "to sort by priority." Using the triage process, the sickest patients are seen first. This means that even though you may have arrived before another patient, the doctor may see the other patient first if his or her condition is worse.

We respect your time and know that waiting in the ER can be frustrating. To help us be more efficient and reduce your wait time, we use an electronic tracking board.

Family and friends may be asked to wait in the waiting room while we get you settled into your room. Once you're settled, family and friends are welcome to visit. Only two visitors are allowed in each room at a time. Our waiting area has a television and magazines available to help pass time.

For visitors in the ER

Visitors may eat or drink in the waiting room, but food and drinks are not allowed in the ER rooms. Please also note that cell phones should only be used in the waiting room or hospital lobby.

Visitors are encouraged to move their cars across the street to the parking ramp so incoming patients may arrive safely in the ER.

What if I want to leave?

If you were concerned enough to come to the emergency room, you need to be seen. Your health is important to us, so even if you feel better, we want you to stay and be seen by a doctor so we can make sure your medical needs are met.

After your emergency visit

We will review your discharge instructions with you before you leave the Emergency Care Center. You will also receive a written copy to take home. Please feel free to ask questions if you do not understand the instructions. You are responsible for arranging a follow-up appointment with your primary provider or the doctor recommended by one of our staff members. You are responsible to check with your insurance plan for coverage.

About your bill

You may get more than one bill for services you received in the emergency department. Your bills are not based on how long you were here, but rather on the treatments you received and the supplies that were used while you were in the emergency room.