Emergency Services

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
• 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 services are provided by Mercy Air and REACH Air Medical Services; they are available 24 hours a day to deliver immediate and specialized attention when necessary.

For more information about ECRMC Emergency Department, call ECMRC today at 760-339-7100. In case of emergency call 911.