Many of the activities that make the winter season great throughout the U.S. – sledding, skiing, hiking and more – can also result in accidents and illness. Fortunately, Steward Health Care’s emergency department teams are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide you and your loved ones with emergency care should it become necessary.
“Our Steward family hospitals’ emergency departments provide high quality, patient-centered emergency care,” says Mark Pearlmutter, MD, FACEP, senior vice president of Steward’s hospital services. “Over the years, we have made significant improvements to our emergency rooms to continue offering our patients world class health care close to where they live.”
Along with providing modern, state-of-the-art environments, Steward hospitals’ emergency rooms are staffed with experienced nurses and highly-trained, board-certified emergency physicians, along with a wide network of specialists, who deliver advanced emergency medicine, expert adult and pediatric emergency care, and follow-up care.
Is It an Emergency?
The initial minutes after an injury or medical crisis are often the most critical. By knowing how to distinguish emergency, urgent and routine health concerns, you can help make emergency care as efficient and effective as possible.
Trust your instincts when deciding if you or a loved one need immediate medical attention. Symptoms that generally indicate an emergency include:
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Head injury or broken bones
- Poisoning or suspected overdose
- Inability to breathe or shortness of breath
- Seizure or loss of consciousness
- Persistent chest or abdominal pain or pressure
- Numbness or paralysis of an arm or leg
- Sudden slurred speech, visual changes or weakness
- Major burns
- Intense pain
- Severe reaction to an insect bite, medication or food
In an emergency, immediately call 911 for an ambulance. Paramedics can begin treatment on the way to the hospital. Don’t attempt to move the patient or perform a medical procedure if you are unsure how to do it. And don’t try to drive to the emergency room if you or the patient requires immediate care.
Learn more about the emergency services available at the Steward family hospital nearest you.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™.
