Emergency Services

Be sure to check out the 2010 HealthGrades®  Emergency Medicine Excellence Study and Award Winners 

Eliminating Your Wait in Our Emergency Department

We've taken steps to virtually eliminate the wait in our Emergency Department while maintaining the highest levels of quality and patient satisfaction.

When emergencies happen, it's comforting to know you can trust Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, a Level II trauma center with vast experience in treating all types of emergencies, ranging from broken bones, to heart attacks, to critical injuries. In 2006 we were named an accredited Chest Pain Center  - only 5% of the hospitals nationwide have this designation.

Our state-of-the-art Emergency Department is staffed 24 hours around the clock by board certified emergency medicine physicians who have education and special training in emergency medicine. Plus, an impressive 90 percent of the emergency nurses are trauma nurse specialists, in addition to being certified in advanced cardiac life support - a statistic that significantly exceeds requirements of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Patients who arrive in the Emergency Department are immediately assessed by a skilled triage nurse who determines the urgency of the patient's condition. Patients with the most urgent or life-threatening conditions always take priority.

Provena Saint Joseph's Emergency Department is equipped to handle all types of injuries. Diagnostic capabilities are enhanced by sophisticated technology called digitized radiography, a filmless process that produces images on a computer monitor within seconds after the x-ray is taken. As a state-designated Level II trauma center, the only cases that may require transfer from Provena Saint Joseph to another medical facility include burns, certain spinal cord injuries, and rare pediatric cases.

In addition to the impressive facilities and the expertise of the emergency staff, another key component of the Emergency Department is the Pastoral Care staff, who are available around the clock to embrace the family and address their needs.

Express Care for Minor Illness and Injury
Located next to Provena Saint Joseph's main Emergency Trauma Center on first floor, Express Care is designed to expedite the treatment of non-emergent patients who might otherwise have to wait while patients with more serious conditions receive treatment. From the moment a patient walks in the door, Express Care staff strives to diagnose, treat and discharge the patient within 90 minutes.

What to Expect
Regardless of the nature of the injury or illness, all patients who come to Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center for emergency care are first evaluated by a triage nurse, who assesses the patient's symptoms, past medical history, current medications and vital signs. Based on this information, the triage nurse determines which patients are appropriate for Express Care. This typically includes individuals who have less complicated illnesses or injuries that require minimal diagnostic testing, such as:

• Minor coughs
• Earaches
• Sore throats
• Minor burns
• Toothaches
• Fevers
• Sprains and strains
• Dog bites
• Insect stings
• Lacerations

Patients appropriate for Express Care are directed to a special reception area and treatment rooms.
Caring and Expert Staff.

All Express Care patients are evaluated and treated by a board certified emergency medicine physician, who is assisted by an emergency trained registered nurse and certified nurse assistant. These are the same physicians and staff who work in Provena Saint Joseph's Level II Trauma Center. For patients who require additional follow-up with a specialist such as an orthopedic surgeon, plastic surgeon or otolaryngologist, Express Care staff will provide a referral to a specialist on staff at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center.

Express Care Hours
Express Care is open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week, every day of the year. Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center's Emergency Trauma Center is open 24 hours around the clock and available to provide emergency care to patients with any type of illness or injury.

Backed by an Experienced Emergency Trauma Center
Express Care is part of Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center's highly sophisticated Emergency Trauma Center. With nearly 50,000 annual patient visits, the Emergency Trauma Center is equipped to handle all types of injuries. As a state-designated Level II trauma center, the only cases that may require transfer from Provena Saint Joseph to another medical facility include burns, certain spinal cord injuries, and rare pediatric cases.

No Need to Phone First
Many emergency patients tend to call before coming to the hospital to make sure their condition really requires emergency care. However, we believe it's best to trust your instincts. If it's an emergency to you, it's an emergency.