Emergency care
Emergency room (ER) in Palm Beach
When you have an emergency, our ER team is dedicated to providing your family with the treatment you need.
With more than 131,000 annual ER visits, HCA Florida JFK Hospital offers access to some of the most experienced emergency physicians in Palm Beach County. At our main ER, you can receive 24/7 care, as well as access to advanced emergency services.
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 care for the whole family
We provide personalized emergency services for a variety of conditions, such as broken bones and heart attacks, in children, adults and seniors.
Our ER features
Our skilled physicians use some of the latest technologies to provide high-quality emergency care. We also offer:
- Advanced diagnostic technology
- Board-certified emergency physicians
- Complete access to all specialty services and physicians at our hospital
- Effective treatment for all ages
- Emergency-trained nurses and support staff
- Minimal wait times
Accredited chest pain center
As part of our dedication to heart care, our hospital is recognized as an Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and Resuscitation by the American College of Cardiology. This recognition emphasizes our commitment to early identification and treatment of heart attacks.
Additionally, our physicians and emergency staff use advanced cardiac technology that allows us to view electrocardiograms (EKGs) provided by emergency medical services (EMS) while you are in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. This time-saving technology allows for faster evaluation and application of critical care so you receive the care you need, when you need it.
This system also quickly identifies a type of heart attack that involves complete blockage of a heart artery: a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Early STEMI treatment minimizes damage, which increases survival rates and reduces or eliminates complications.
Thrombectomy capable stroke center
We are designated as a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, recognizing our fast treatment and positive outcomes for people who experience a stroke.
In these cases, our neuro intensive care unit (neuro-ICU) provides continuing care for you after your initial treatment in the ER. Our neuro-ICU is an 18-bed unit staffed with nurses who have received special training in caring for neurological conditions.
We also offer a specialized stroke rehabilitation program.
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 (888) 359-3552.
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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Our Emergency care Locations
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