Emergency Services

Encuentre información acerca de los servicios de emergencia.

Our emergency departments are open around the clock to treat serious injuries or dangerous symptoms. We are staffed with specially trained physicians, nurses, technicians, and other support staff - each committed to providing you with high-quality care when you need it most. Additionally, we have access to specialists, subspecialists and advanced equipment, thus reducing the need to be transferred to another hospital.

Emergency services include:

• Board-certified doctors and registered nurses trained in emergency medicine.
  
  
• Triage area: You may not realize it when you enter one of our emergency rooms or urgent care centers, but our triage system in Southern California is constantly working to treat the sickest patients first. Some patients need life-saving medical attention, while other patients with less serious conditions can wait until more resources are available.
  
  
• Emergency Radiology: 24-hour on-site access to state-of-the-art digital diagnostic imaging equipment. We offer CT scans, an in-department x-ray suite, ultrasound, and other radiology imaging options around the clock. Our certified radiologists are on staff review tests during an emergency.
  
  
• On-site testing: We complete all of your testing, including laboratory and imaging tests, right at the hospital, so we can get the answers we need and plan your treatment.
  
  
• Primary Stroke Centers: California Hospital Medical Center and St. John's Hospital Camarillo are designated Primary Stroke Centers, a distinction recognizing facilities that follow the best practices for stroke care. The facilities also provide integrated services in stroke diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. 


• Certified Thrombectomy - Capable Stroke Centers: Glendale Memorial Hospital, Northridge Hospital Medical Center, St. Mary Medical Center, and St. John's Regional Medical Center have been designated as a Certified Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Centers by The Joint Comission and the American Heart and Stroke Associations for meeting rigorous standards for performing endovascular thrombectomy and providing post-procedural care. 
  
  
• STEMI Heart Attack Center: This STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) designation means we are equipped with the technology to treat heart attacks quickly and our staff has been especially trained on how to care for heart attack patients. Locations include St. Mary Medical Center and St. John's Regional Medical Center.
  
  
• Trauma Centers: The time from injury to highly specialized trauma hospital care is critical in saving lives and decreasing disabilities. Trauma Centers provide the level of care that can make the difference between life and death. Locations include California Hospital Medical Center, Northridge Hospital Medical Center (Adult and Pediatric), and St. Mary Medical Center.


• Pediatric ER: At St. Mary Medical Center and Northridge Hospital Medical Center, our emergency medicine doctors are specially trained to care for our youngest patients in the ER.
  
  
• Emergency Surgery: Even in the most critical situations, experienced surgeons in our Dignity Health Southern California emergency surgery departments are available everyday, 24/7, to perform lifesaving surgery.

   

The emergency room, or ER, is a hospital service where people can seek immediate help for serious injuries or illnesses that can’t be managed or treated at home, in a doctor’s office, or at an urgent care facility. 

Head to an emergency room if you feel that you require immediate medical attention, including symptoms such as:

• Change in mental status, such as unusual behavior, confusion or difficulty walking or talking
• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
• Fainting
• Coughing or vomiting blood

The best way to deal with the ER is to simply know what to expect. Here's what you can expect from a typical emergency room visit:

• Wait Times: Cases are given priority based on the severity, so if you have a less urgent condition, you will probably need to wait longer. While you wait, you'll be asked to complete health care documents and forms. Dignity Health also offers an online ER waiting service, InQuicker, which allows you to wait at home until your estimated arrival time. 
  
  
• Treatment and Testing:  When it's your turn to be seen, a triage nurse will review your medical history and ask for information about your allergies, medications you're taking, past surgeries, or medical conditions. Your vital signs and a brief rundown of your symptoms will also be obtained. Depending on your severity, you may be asked to return to the waiting area or be placed in the triage area or exam room. As part of the exam, you may need blood tests or imaging tests to check for certain diseases or conditions. It can take an hour or more to get your results, depending on the number of tests and the number of patients ahead of you.
  
  
• Ongoing Care: The average wait time to see a physician varies on time of day,  and other factors. Depending on your circumstance, you may be admitted for immediate care, observation, or be discharge. 
  
  
• Discharge: Before you're discharged from the emergency room, you and your physician will discuss test results, a treatment plan, follow-up instructions with your primary physician, and, if needed, a referral to a specialist. You will also receive paperwork and any necessary drug prescriptions.