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 room (ER) in Englewood
When an accident or illness occurs, our specialists are dedicated to providing fast, high-quality emergency services.
At HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, our 24/7 ER is staffed with physicians, nurses and other highly trained healthcare professionals to help ensure you have access to the care you need.
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.
Conditions we treat at our ER
We specialize in emergency medical treatments for a variety of conditions, including:
- Bone fractures
- Chest pain
- Concussions
- Digestive disorders
- Heart and vascular conditions
- Heart attacks
- Infections
- Injuries
- Respiratory disorders
- Vomiting
When to go to the ER
If you have an injury or condition causing you serious discomfort or complications if left untreated, go to the closest hospital ER or emergency care center as soon as possible. Symptoms or conditions that should be treated in an ER include:
- Abdominal pain
- Broken bones
- Certain behavioral health issues
- Chest pain
- Concussion or head trauma
- Heart attack
- Open wounds
- Severe allergic reaction
- Strokes (cerebrovascular accidents)
- Trouble breathing
Our standalone emergency care center, HCA Florida Wellen Park Emergency, provides patients with the same level of high-quality emergency care as our hospital-based emergency department. Patients requiring more advanced treatment receive a transfer to an HCA Florida Healthcare hospital for a connected and collaborative healthcare experience.
Specialized emergency services and treatments
We can help you work toward your recovery goals with our personalized emergency services, including stroke care, heart attack treatment and telemedicine support.
Stroke treatment
Our main campus ER is designated by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. Our program complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality care in the rapid response and treatment of acute strokes.
Our stroke care program includes:
- A dedicated stroke unit
- A multidisciplinary stroke committee that reviews your care and outcomes monthly
- A trained stroke team available 24/7
- Diagnostic and laboratory procedures
- Imaging and radiology exams
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation, including specialists committed to helping you regain a comfortable quality of life
Heart attack treatment
We also provide emergency heart attack treatment 24/7. A heart attack is a medical emergency that requires medical intervention to open up the blocked blood vessel that supplies blood to the heart. Treatment options will vary depending on the extent of the blockage.
When it comes to a heart attack, identifying the symptoms and knowing when to seek emergency care is key.
The signs and symptoms of a heart attack can include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
- Pressure or discomfort in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
If you believe you are having a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately.
Telemedicine services
We offer complete emergency medical care, but when a higher level of care is required, we use telemedicine technology.
Telemedicine allows you to receive an evaluation from a specialist, like a neurologist or a psychiatrist, in minutes via remote telemedicine technology. A virtual examination is useful in identifying if continued care is needed and expedites the treatment process, so we can provide you with the right care quickly.
Fast Track ER
If you're coming to the ER, we know your condition requires immediate treatment. With our Fast Track ER, we're able to provide expedited care for less severe conditions, such as a sore throat, rash or minor injury.
The division between the main ER and Fast Track ER allows us to make sure you are getting the dedicated, timely care you deserve.
Our emergency care providers
Our emergency room and emergency care center include multispecialty teams of doctors, surgeons and nurses committed to providing high-quality emergency care when you need it most.
Our teams collaborate with local emergency medical services (EMS) providers to continuously improve transport times, door-to-balloon times for heart attack patients and door-to-treatment times for those experiencing stroke.
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 wait times in the ER?
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 average 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 apply. ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only.
Are there other ER locations?
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.
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.
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
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 average 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 apply. ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only.
ER vs. urgent care
Deciding between emergency care or urgent care for treating an illness or injury isn’t always easy, especially in the moment of pain or sickness.
Urgent care centers typically provide treatment for commonplace sicknesses and injuries, such as flu symptoms and ankle sprains. However, unlike an ER, most urgent care clinics are not open 24/7 and are not able to treat more serious conditions.
Conditions commonly treated at an urgent care center include:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Common cold
- Ear infection
- Flu (influenza)
- Head lice
- Minor cuts and falls
- Mononucleosis (mono)
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
If you are unsure whether a symptom requires emergency or urgent care, our Consult-a-Nurse® line is available 24/7 at (844) 706-8773. HCA Florida nurses staff our free hotline to help you determine the right type of care for your injury or illness before you leave home.