Emergency Services in Imperial Valley
Trusted, Responsive Care when Patients Need It
El Centro Regional Medical Center is home to the busiest emergency department
in Imperial Valley and continues to treat tens of thousands of patients
every year. This department is classified as a level IV basic emergency
medical service, keeps multiple physicians on staff, and is open 24/7
in order to provide medical intervention for those patients in urgent
need of care.
Other important features of the ECRMC Emergency Department include:
- 20-bed capacity (16 beds equipped with cardiac monitoring technology)
- Specially-trained Mobile Intensive Care Nurses (MICNs)
- Rapid Patient Management (RPM) triage protocol
- Two child-friendly room for young patients
- Accessible, convenient patient parking
- Dedicated x-ray suite
- Helicopter service
- Interpreter services
The ECRMC Emergency Department is also Imperial Valley's base station
for all local EMS services. This means that this department provides critical
consultations with all EMS personnel whose patients out in the field may
benefit from the insight from specially trained physicians.
The Patient Experience
Upon arrival to the ECRMC Emergency Department, you will register with
a front desk and see a triage nurse who will gather basic information
about your condition. This nurse will assess the severity of your condition
and either make sure that you are seen immediately or direct you to the
waiting area.
Once you are shown to a treatment room, a registered nurse will be assigned
to you. A physician will further evaluate your condition, order any necessary
tests, and devise a course of treatment. Patients are encouraged to have
one family member or loved one with them in the treatment room.
From here, there are two outcomes:
-
You will be discharged. In these cases, you will be allowed to go home with suggestions, prescriptions,
or further direction from the physician. Because it's critical that
patients understand what needs to be done to address their medical concern,
always ask any questions if you do not understand what your doctors or
nurses tell you.
-
You will be admitted. If it is believed that your condition needs further attention and treatment,
you may be admitted to the hospital as a patient. A physician will update
your family or loved ones about your condition and what will be done to
treat you.
Unmarried patients who are minors must receive permission from a parent
or guardian before receiving care. In these cases, the staff will call
a parent or guardian to confirm consent. If life-saving intervention is
needed immediately, parents and guardians will be informed of the minor's
condition as soon as possible.
Helicopter Service
For advanced care, a heliport is located on the roof of the hospital in
preparation for any type of emergency. Helicopter service is provided by
REACH Air Medical Services and is available 24 hours a day to deliver immediate and specialized attention
when necessary.
For more information about ECRMC Emergency Department, call ECRMC today
at 760.339.7100. In case of emergency call 911