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Emergency Care

24-Hour Care for Serious Illnesses and Injuries

Our Emergency Departments in Fort Madison, Mount Pleasant, and West Burlington provide 24-hour provider coverage with access to trauma bay emergency ambulance and helicopter transportation.

Our highly qualified staff includes:

  • Board-certified emergency physicians
  • Trauma-certified emergency nurses who also are trained in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support
  • Specially trained emergency department physician assistants
  • Emergency department technicians and paramedics
  • Registration and clerical staff

Fort Madison

Our hospital includes an accredited Level IV Area Trauma Care Facility and an Air Evac Lifeteam Base (air ambulance services) located in the Parking Lot for advanced emergency health care and rapid medical transport. We also offer a private consultation room for families dealing with grief over a loved one in trauma or in a life-threatening situation. There is a holding room for those patients who require extended observation with all the comforts of a normal patient room. Spirit Ambulance on-site.

Mount Pleasant

The Emergency Department at Henry County Health Center is a Level IV trauma facility. All patients presenting to the Emergency Department receive a medical screening that provides all necessary testing and on-call services within the capability of Henry County Health Center to reach a diagnosis. The Emergency Department is staffed with a physician 24 hours a day.

The ED is staffed 24 hours a day with a minimum of 2 RNs. The RNs are licensed professional nurses committed to ensuring that emergency patients receive optimal care and treatment. Our staff maintains certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Basic Life Support, and Trauma Care. We also participate in ongoing in-service education programs and periodic clinical skills evaluations to ensure that the quality of care provided is kept current with evidence-based practice and standards of care.

The Emergency Department also participates in Continuous Performance Improvement processes. This involves the entire Emergency Department staff including RN’s and our ED Medical Director Physician. We are committed to maintaining the highest quality medical care with a personal commitment to patient satisfaction. Our close connection with area hospitals allows for expedited transfers to appropriate facilities. The Emergency Department strives to ensure optimal care for each patient.

West Burlington

Our hospital includes an accredited Level IV Area Trauma Care Facility and an Air Evac Lifeteam Base (air ambulance services) located in the Parking Lot for advanced emergency health care and rapid medical transport. We also offer a private consultation room for families dealing with grief over a loved one in trauma or in a life-threatening situation. There is a holding room for those patients who require extended observation with all the comforts of a normal patient room. Spirit Ambulance on-site.

Understanding Triage

You will be greeted by a triage specialist who is a nurse trained to determine the seriousness of your injury or illness. They will create a treatment priority list by comparing the conditions of all patients in the waiting area and ensure that patients who have life- or limb-threatening conditions receive emergency care first.

How long does it take?

Unlike scheduled physician appointments, Emergency Department visits are not planned, so your waiting time may be longer than anticipated. The time you spend in the Emergency Department depends on the severity of your illness or injury, and how busy the department is.

If the emergency medicine provider decides that you should be admitted to the hospital, please plan to be in the Emergency Department for at least 3 hours before being transferred to an inpatient unit. If you are treated for a less serious illness or injury, you can expect your visit to last less than two hours.

Going Home from the ER

If you are not admitted, your healthcare provider will give you home-care instructions. We want you to have all the information you need about your illness or injury, so please ask questions before you leave. If you think your illness or injury is not improving within 24 hours, or if you feel worse, please return to the Emergency Department, or call your primary care provider or the specialist to whom you have been referred.

Should I Go to the ER or Call an Ambulance?

Ask yourself the following questions, and if the answer is “yes” or you’re unsure, call 911:

  • Is the condition life-threatening?
  • Is it a possible heart attack?
  • Are they experiencing symptoms of a stroke?
  • Could the condition worsen and become life-threatening on the way to the hospital?
  • Could moving cause further injury?
  • Does the person need the skills/equipment of paramedics or emergency medical technicians?
  • Could distance or weather conditions cause a delay in getting to the hospital?

Even if you think you can get to the hospital faster by driving, paramedics can bring many of the lifesaving skills and medications right to you and start care sooner. Emergency crews are trained to begin medical treatment on the way to the hospital, and they can also alert the Emergency Department in advance to the patient’s condition.

Should I Go to the ER or a WALK-IN CLINIC?

KNOW WHERE TO GO

Right Care, Right Place, Right Time

Not all illnesses or injuries are life-threatening and are better suited to be treated at a Walk-In Clinic or a primary care clinic. Walk-in clinics provide treatment when you are sick with sudden illnesses like the flu, sore throat, earache, mononucleosis, minor cuts, suspected fractures, and many other non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. The Walk-In Clinic at Great River Health is a clinic for patients over the age of 18 months who don’t have a primary care provider or need extended office hours. We can help patients get follow-up care at a primary care clinic.

If you have any questions or concerns about any aspects of your care, please call the Emergency Department director at 319-768-4743.

For more information on the Emergency Department in MP, please call 319-385-3141.

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