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Emergency care

Emergency care is the treatment of unexpected, severe medical injuries or infections. It is typically delivered in an emergency room or an ambulance. Our emergency medicine physicians stabilize your condition as quickly as possible to prepare you for the next step of care or discharge.

Emergency rooms (ERs) in Austin and Central Texas

At St. David’s HealthCare, our specialists are prepared to treat urgent injuries and illnesses 24/7.

Our hospitals' board-certified physicians build treatment plans for time-sensitive conditions, such as head injuries, fractures and severe burns. We are also the only system in the region fully accredited by the American College of Cardiology.

Expert advice, available 24/7

Free health-related advice is just a phone call away. Our licensed nurses will help you understand your symptoms, answer health-related questions, and navigate where to seek care.

Free health-related advice is just a phone call away. Our licensed nurses will help you understand your symptoms, answer health-related questions, and navigate where to seek care.

Our emergency care services

When an emergency happens, you want fast, expert care close to home. At St. David's HealthCare, you can count on our emergency rooms and freestanding ERs across Central Texas to be ready 24/7. From sudden illness and injuries to more serious, life-threatening conditions, experienced emergency physicians, nurses and specialists move quickly to evaluate symptoms and begin treatment right away.

 

With advanced diagnostic tools, on-site labs and imaging, and access to specialized services, you can feel confident knowing expert emergency care is always within reach.

What's the difference between a free-standing ER and a hospital ER?

St. David's HealthCare offers both hospital emergency rooms and free-standing emergency rooms, all open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our free-standing ERs are fully equipped emergency rooms conveniently located in area neighborhoods. They are an extension of our hospital ERs and provide the same high level of emergency care for serious illnesses and injuries.

Whether you visit a hospital ER or a free-standing ER, you’ll be cared for by experienced emergency and trauma physicians, registered nurses and medical staff who are ready to provide fast, compassionate care for you and your family — anytime you need it.

Our neighborhood ER locations

Map showing the locations of St. David's HealthCare's freestanding emergency room centers in Central Texas.

If a higher level of care is required, our care team assists with facility admission to the hospital of your choice. We can also provide direct admission by ambulance to a room at a St. David's Healthcare-affiliated hospital.

Trauma care

Our Level II Trauma Centers provide comprehensive care for critically injured patients, including dedicated trauma ICUs, surgical teams, and operating rooms available 24/7. Staffed by highly trained trauma surgeons, nurses and specialists, our trauma centers are equipped to quickly assess and treat complex injuries such as those caused by car crashes, falls, severe burns, head injuries and other traumatic events.

Pediatric emergency care

Every St. David's ER can treat emergencies affecting children. However, specialized pediatric care is offered at St. David's Children's Hospital, which has:

  • A 10-bed pediatric emergency unit
  • An eight-bed medical surgical inpatient unit
  • A six-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)

St. David's Children's Hospital provides dedicated emergency care for children and adolescents through 17 years of age. Our specialized services are tailored to meet the unique needs of younger patients, ensuring they receive expert care when it matters most. We also provide comprehensive care in a range of specialties, including:

  • Pediatric anesthesia
  • Pediatric radiology
  • Pediatric surgery
  • A wide range of other pediatric specialties, including cardiology, orthopedics, neurology and urology

Heart attack and stroke treatment

When every second matters, our emergency care teams are ready to act. Our experienced physicians, nurses and specialists work together to deliver fast, coordinated care. We provide rapid evaluation and advanced treatment for heart attacks and stroke, using proven life-saving protocols to help you return to your life as quickly and safely as possible.

If you have symptoms of a life-threatening issue, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Emergency imaging services

Paramedics and emergency physicians provide prompt diagnosis of your condition upon arrival. If your care plan requires lab work or screenings, our team can immediately move forward with our comprehensive ER imaging services as part of your emergency assessment. We offer:

  • Computerized tomography (CT) scans and X-rays
  • Diagnostic radiology, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
  • Ultrasounds

Some of our ERs also have labs, enabling us to process and interpret results as quickly as possible.

ER vs urgent care

When you need prompt medical care, knowing where to go can save you time and ensure you receive the right level of treatment. ERs are better equipped to treat serious illnesses and injuries, such as:

Urgent care clinics are great for non-life-threatening issues needing prompt attention, such as:

  • Burns
  • Cold or flu
  • Infections
  • Lacerations
  • Rashes
  • Sprains

Our 24 CareNow® Urgent Care clinics are open seven days a week, during most holidays and after normal business hours. These walk-in clinics treat adults and children three months and older. 

If you need help deciding if your symptoms need an ER or urgent care visit, Consult-A-Nurse® is here to help. This free and confidential service connects you with experienced registered nurses who can answer your health questions, help you assess your symptoms and guide you to the most appropriate level of care. Call (844) 70-NURSE (844)-706-8773 anytime, day or night for answers, advice and peace of mind.

ER Nurse Becomes the Patient: Life-Saving Response at St. David's Round Rock Medical Center

Hear from Alex Wilson, a 24-year-old ER nurse at St. David's Round Rock Medical Center, who found herself on the other side of the hospital bed after suffering an unexpected stroke. In a dramatic turn of events, Alex's own team rushed into action to save her life.

Looking for a location?

We also offer quality care at these other locations in our extended network.

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