When you or a loved one has a medical emergency, nothing eases your mind like knowing quick and reliable care is nearby. The Emergency Department at St. Mary's Medical Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing quality care when you need it most.
What's more, our nurses and physicians are committed to triaging and seeing the patient in the first 30 minutes. Accidents and injuries are painful enough without waiting for hours in an emergency room. All patients are assessed upon arrival, and the most serious cases are given priority. After being seen by a physician, the total length of your visit may vary depending on what tests are needed, what the diagnosis is and what treatment is required.
When you need emergency care, come to St. Mary's Medical Center--and get in, get better, and get going
“Is it an Emergency?”
Sometimes it can be confusing to know when you should head to the Emergency Room. Tin Do, MD, an emergency physician, and the other staff of St. Mary’s ER tell patients who call: “If you believe it to be an emergency and don’t think it can wait to see your doctor, you should come in. You know your body best and only you know when your body feels strange.”
Tin Do, MD - ER Medical Director
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, there are specific health conditions that are considered life threatening and others that require seeking immediate medical attention. If you or someone you know have an emergency, come to the ER. If it is a life threatening emergency or if you think the condition will worsen on the way to the hospital, always call “911.”
Below are guidelines of conditions that warrant visiting the ER.
LIFE THREATENING emergencies include:
Heart attack (chest pain/chest pressure with or without neck or arm pain)
Difficulty breathing or short of breath
Bleeding which does not stop after applying pressure
Loss of consciousness
Unexplained stupor, drowsiness or disorientation
Significant trauma (to the head, stomach, chest)
Stroke (sudden weakness/numbness of the face, arm or leg; sudden vision loss or inability to speak)
Allergic reactions (when breathing becomes labored or feeling like your throat is swollen)
Other times when you SHOULD come to the ER:
Broken bones
Persistent unexplained fever even with Tylenol use
Persistent or severe vomiting
Vomiting or coughing blood
Poisoning (if possible first contact local poison control)
Severe burns
Suicidal or homicidal feelings
Unusual or persistent abdominal pain
Animal bites (may require rabies or tetanus shot)
Instances when you should call your doctor (Primary Care Physician):
Cough/cold
Earaches
Fever/Flu
Minor burns (including sunburns)
Minor cuts (bleeding has stopped)
Sore throat (but without difficulty breathing or swallowing)
Sprains
STD
Note: The above conditions generally do not require an ER visit, but if any of these conditions are severe and/or persistent and you cannot reach your physician, please do visit an ER.
Contact us at 415-750-5700
Please note, we cannot give medical advice over the phone. If this is a true Emergency, call 911
