When faced with an illness or injury, sometimes it's hard to know where to go for treatment. With so many options for care, understanding where to turn during a medical emergency can save precious time and provide the best possible outcome.
What is a freestanding emergency room?
When you need a facility that is open 24/7 and offers a higher level of care to deal with an emergency situation, a hospital-owned and operated emergency room is your best option for a number of reasons. These emergency rooms may be freestanding or located within hospitals. While freestanding emergency rooms (ERs) are structurally separate from hospitals, they are capable of delivering emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The same quality care, closer to home
At Parkridge Health, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, a freestanding emergency room serves as an extension of a Parkridge Health hospital. Freestanding ERs are staffed by board-certified emergency room physicians and nurses with experience treating emergent injuries and serious medical conditions. Parkridge Camp Jordan ER, opening in October 2023, will be subject to the same licensing and operational requirements as acute care.
“A freestanding emergency room offers convenient access to emergency care when a hospital-based emergency room may be miles away,” says Dr. Ben Cottrell, medical director of emergency services at Parkridge Health. “The same physicians that work in our hospital-based emergency rooms provide care in our freestanding locations and can deliver life-saving care for patients experiencing a stroke, cardiac event or any other emergent health condition.”
Each freestanding ER has a dedicated ambulance bay for the intake of EMS patients and will also able to take care of walk-in patients. There is a seamless continuum of care should someone need to be transferred to an inpatient hospital setting. Within Parkridge TriStar Health, the freestanding ERs treats the same clinical conditions as emergency rooms within hospital facilities.
Some medical emergencies that require a trip to an ER or freestanding ER include:
- Suspected heart attack
- Suspected stroke
- Trouble breathing
- Severe allergic reactions
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Deep wounds with heavy bleeding
- High fever
- Uncontrolled nausea, diarrhea or dehydration
- Suspected poisoning
- Drug/alcohol overdose
It's important that you seek out the appropriate care setting based on the severity of your needs. Parkridge Health has three emergency rooms within hospitals in the Chattanooga area, as well as two ERs that provide expert care in our communities outside of the four hospitals, Parkridge Camp Jordan ER and Parkridge North ER.
When in doubt, call Ask-A-Nurse for free medical advice
Do you need help deciding if you or a loved one should go to the ER or consult your family physician? Our expert nurses can help you understand symptoms, manage a chronic condition or learn about treatment options and medical procedures. Free medical advice is just one phone call away, whether you're a new parent worried about your child's fever, or you're caring for an aging parent. It's simple, free and can offer you the peace of mind you need. Call Ask-A-Nurse 24/7 at (423) 242-4128.
Caring for families in Chattanooga, Tennessee
As healthcare continues to evolve, we know you are looking for high-quality and convenient options for care, diagnosis and treatment. At Parkridge Health, we are committed to expanding access to emergency care in our region when seconds matter.
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