Emergency care
Emergency department in Miami
Nobody plans on experiencing an emergency, but if one does happen, we offer 24/7 care.
As a state-designated Level II Trauma Center, HCA Florida Aventura Hospital's emergency room (ER) is fully equipped and staffed to provide lifesaving trauma services. Additionally, our kid-friendly ER is prepared to treat a variety of pediatric conditions.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Emergency services we offer
We provide services such as child-friendly support and an intensive care unit (ICU) because our goal is to provide the support you need when you need it most.
Heart care
In the event of a heart attack, every second counts. Our cardiology program uses advanced technology that assesses your condition while you're being transported to the hospital. This technology enables emergency medical teams to send electrocardiograms (EKGs) directly to our doctors’ and nurses’ smartphones and tablets. The crucial time saved with this process can help save lives.
Our advanced technological system also quickly identifies ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs), a type of heart attack that involves a complete blockage in an artery of the heart.
Early heart attack care (EHAC)
Heart attacks often present warning signs days or even weeks in advance. By recognizing these symptoms before they escalate, you can help prevent serious damage to your heart.
In some cases, discomfort may come and go for up to two weeks before a major event. If you notice concerning symptoms, act quickly to save your life or someone else's life.
Signs of a heart attack include:
- Anxiety
- Back pain
- Chest pain, pressure, squeezing, aching or burning
- Fatigue
- Feeling of fullness
- Jaw pain
- Nausea
- Pain that travels down one or both arms
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest or throat
Stroke care
We were the first facility in the area to receive the certification of Primary Stroke Center from The Joint Commission.
In 2011, we were certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. We are one of only three centers in the area with this designation, which nationally recognizes our hospital for providing some of the highest quality stroke treatment.
Trauma care
The Florida Department of Health has designated our hospital as a Level II Trauma Center, providing residents and visitors with access to lifesaving trauma services.
We are also part of Florida’s first statewide network of trauma centers, developed as an affiliation between the University of South Florida (USF) and our network of hospitals to improve access and outcomes for injured individuals.
Enhanced safety protections
Specific symptoms, including those of heart attack or stroke, require professional medical evaluation and timely treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications. Our ERs have introduced enhanced precautions to ensure a safe environment for all involved. We are well-equipped to handle your health concern.
Frequently asked questions
To best help you, we have consolidated a list of answers to common questions we receive about our emergency care.
When should I visit the ER?
We understand it can be difficult to know whether you should go to the ER or wait for your doctor's office to open. However, we want you to feel secure about your choice for care.
There are a wide range of symptoms that may indicate you need to visit the ER, including:
- Back pain
- Broken bones
- Chest pain
- Concussion
- Flu
- Side pain
- Stomach pain
- Trouble breathing
If you are unsure if your symptoms require an ER visit, you can speak to a nurse 24/7 by calling our Consult-A-Nurse® team at (844) 706-8773.
What should I expect at the ER?
When you get to the ER, one of our triage nurses will medically screen, evaluate and stabilize you to assess your symptoms and vital signs. Next, a registration clerk will collect your insurance card (if available) and other information.
If you have a severe, life-threatening illness or injury, you will be treated first. Otherwise, you will be treated in the order you arrive.
Before discharge, we encourage you to ask our emergency care teams any questions you have. It is also useful for you to keep all of your paperwork, discharge information and medicines or prescriptions together after you leave the emergency room.
After discharge, our emergency department staff will reach out to your primary care provider to ensure they are updated on your care.
What happens during the check-in process?
We want you to receive effective care quickly, which is why we are constantly advancing the check-in process. With our ER kiosks, we aim to make the check-in process simple. At the kiosk, you can enter the reason for your visit, then manually enter your information or scan in your Florida driver’s license.
This information automatically puts you in the queue for the triage nurse and also captures your medical record information, making the check-in process easier than ever.
What should I bring to the ER?
When coming to the ER, we recommend you bring:
- A list of known allergies
- A list of medicines you currently take
- A responsible adult or phone number for someone to contact
- Copies of results from recent medical tests, if available
- Personal care preferences and restrictions
How do I stay updated on ER wait times?
When it comes to emergency services, our goal is to continually work toward enhancing the care you receive, while reducing our wait times. This ensures you get the support you need, when you need it most.
Our wait times are updated every 30 minutes and are available on our website.
To find out the wait times of the HCA Florida ER nearest to you, check the top of our website or text "ER" to 32222.
Note: Message and data rates may apply. ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only.
Heart Attack Survivor Story at Aventura Hospital
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