How to Choose an Emergency Department

Not all emergency rooms are the same. In fact, some hospitals do not have an emergency department at all. Some are prepared for pediatric patients, cardiac arrest or trauma and others provide a basic level of care. Research the facilities in your community to know where to go when you need help. Learn when to go to the ER, when to call 9-1-1 and when to use an urgent care center.

Download Emergency Department Frequently Asked Questions(PDF)

State Designation: Level I, II, III

The State of Illinois certifies emergency departments as Level I, II, or III. Those rated Level I are the most comprehensive trauma centers with specialists on the premises at all times. Condell is designated a Level II trauma center, able to handle all emergencies with the specialty equipment and a trauma surgeon who is on call, but not in the building at all times. Condell also provides the optimum continuity for your care should you need hospitalization and additional therapy. Condell not only trains local paramedics, but is fully equipped to handle cardiac trauma from immediate treatment to recovery.

If possible, you should choose an emergency department where your personal physician is on staff. When the physician is on the medical staff of the hospital, the information about your care is more accessible. The doctors and nurses are familiar with one another, and your doctor can continue to treat you if you are admitted for observation or continued care.

What to look for:

• Physicians trained in the specialty of Emergency Medicine.
  
  
• Nurses trained and certified in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) and/or PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support).
  
  
• High patient volume (staff will be more attuned to treating trauma as a team).
  
  
• Staff with many years of experience.
  
  
• Hospital support services (diagnostic imaging capabilities, surgical expertise and capabilities, therapy services).
  
  
• Access to care beyond the capabilities of the medical center, such as a heliport or proximity to a Level I trauma center.
  
  
• Specific capabilities related to your personal family history or medical conditions, in case you should need to be admitted for specialized care. For example, if you have a history of heart disease or have had a cardiac episode, you might choose Condell for its comprehensive cardiac services, from open heart surgery to rehabilitative therapy -- all under one roof.
  
  

Pediatric Concerns:

If you have children, it is better to be prepared so that you don't have to make a last-minute decision when choosing an emergency department.

You might look for:

• Close proximity to your home
  
  
• Emergency Medicine physicians also trained in treating children
  
  
• Nurses trained and experienced in treating children
  
  
• Separate, child-friendly waiting area
  
  
• Separate treatment area for children
  
  
• Equipment and supplies designed especially for children
  
  
• A hospital where your pediatrician on staff so that your child's care won't be turned over to an unfamiliar physician
  
  
• Pediatric unit and/or pediatric intensive care unit within the hospital
  
  
• Pediatric consultants available in the emergency department
  
  

Condell functions under the high standards required for Level II certification. We are certified and voluntarily operate under the guidelines set forth by the State of Illinois and recognized as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP). The physicians are all specialists trained in Emergency Medicine who practice exclusively at Condell. Our Certified Trauma Nurse Specialists and support personnel provide quick turn-around time for patients.

Condell's new emergency department features 22 private rooms as well as an Express Care system for non-critical cases. Children will enjoy the pediatric waiting area and parents will take comfort in the pediatric trauma room especially for our littler patients with bigger risks.