Emergency care
Emergency medical services in Tallahassee
We know every second counts in an emergency situation.
At HCA Florida Capital Hospital, our emergency room (ER) offers 24/7 medical care for adults and children. On average, our specially trained physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals treat more than 110,000 people each year.
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 medical conditions we treat
Our emergency specialists offer 24/7 treatment for a range of conditions, including:
- Heart attack
- Injury
- Poisoning
- Profuse bleeding
- Severe shortness of breath
- Severe vomiting, fainting and dehydration
- Stroke
- Suicidal thoughts
Our emergency program
By offering emergency services at four locations in Leon and Gadsden counties, we strive to provide fast and effective care to as many people as possible.
Heart attack treatment
We are an Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) designated by the American College of Cardiology, meaning our dedication to excellent heart attack treatment has received national recognition.
It's essential to know the signs of a heart attack and seek immediate medical attention if they are experienced. Prompt treatment is essential to preserve the heart muscle.
Male heart attack symptoms
Men and women can experience different heart attack symptoms. For example, the most common heart attack symptoms in men often include the following sensations in the chest:
- Aching
- Burning
- Discomfort
- Fullness
- Pressure
- Tightness
Female heart attack symptoms
The most common heart attack symptoms for women are:
- Pressure in the lower chest, which may feel like a stomachache
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained fatigue
- Weakness
Stroke treatment
Our emergency medicine team provides 24/7 stroke care. Our dedication to superior stroke treatment has been recognized regionally and nationally, as we are designated as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
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 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.
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