24/7 Care for Your Urgent Needs
When a medical emergency happens, you need immediate medical care fast. The Emergency Department at Jefferson Community Health & Life serves our community with 24/7 care, including weekends and holidays.
If you’re searching for the nearest emergency room or a walk in ER option close to home, our emergency room team is here to provide prompt medical attention for serious illness, injury, and other acute medical condition concerns.
JCH&L is designated as a Level IV (Basic Level) Trauma Center, providing trauma care for a wide range of conditions. Nurses staff the emergency department at all times, while medical staff and the laboratory and radiology team are on call 24/7 to support comprehensive emergency medicine services. We have two fully equipped emergency/trauma rooms, and we also use outpatient clinic rooms to treat those with less traumatic needs.
When to go to the emergency room
If you or a loved one has life threatening symptoms, seek immediate medical care right away. Go to the emergency clinic/emergency department or call 911 for:
- Possible stroke or stroke symptoms (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, sudden confusion, severe headache, sudden vision changes)
- Chest pain, pressure, or shortness of breath (possible heart-related emergency; we coordinate heart care when needed)
- Serious injuries requiring trauma care
- Severe burns needing burn care
- Any sudden, severe, or worsening symptoms that require urgent medical attention
What to expect in the Emergency Department
Every patient who comes to the emergency department is assessed by a nurse, so we understand the history of the problem as well as the patient’s current vital signs, physical condition, medication list, and medical history.
After the initial assessment, the nurse will contact a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Diagnostic testing, lab work, imaging, and treatment are coordinated based on your needs so you can receive the right level of care as quickly as possible.
When you arrive
Patients should enter through the Outpatient/Emergency entrance on the south side of the facility. A circle drive is available for easy patient drop off and pick up. The outside vestibule door is always unlocked, allowing patients to get in out of the weather.
After normal outpatient clinic hours (weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), the interior door is locked. The interior Emergency Room vestibule door is locked after hours for the safety of our customers and staff. Please pick up the phone for assistance.
What to bring
- Call first at 402-729-3351, if possible. Staff may be able to give additional instructions, provide first aid guidance, or help determine whether an emergency room visit is necessary.
- Bring a list of current medications, including prescription, over the counter, and herbal medications.
- Know your health history and be ready to share it.
- Be prepared to describe your symptoms, including when they started and how severe they are.
What is a Level IV (Basic Level) Trauma Center?
A Level IV (Basic Level) Trauma Center:
- Is equipped and staffed to provide immediate care to patients with traumatic injuries
- Can perform initial evaluation, diagnostic tests, and lab work to identify the extent of injuries
- Can promptly transfer patients to higher-level trauma centers when needed
If you have questions about emergency services at Jefferson Community Health & Life, please contact Erin Smith, RN, Chief Operating Officer at erin.smith@jchealthandlife.org, or Holly Wolff, Chief Executive Officer at holly.wolff@jchealthandlife.org.