Emergency Care That's Always Ready for You
Shorten your ER wait time by checking in online.
A team of board-certified emergency physicians, trauma and orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and other specialists is available to diagnose and immediately treat life-threatening injuries seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Check-in Online to Shorten Your ER Wait Time
Our online check-in feature minimizes your wait time at the ER and maximizes your time with our expert care team. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 for immediate assistance.
St. Joseph Health is recognized as the region’s leader in emergency and trauma services, having received the first designation as an accredited Chest Pain Center and the first as a Primary Stroke Center in the region. Anchored by the St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital’s Emergency & Trauma Center in Bryan, Texas, the five St. Joseph Health emergency centers throughout the Brazos Valley serve the needs of more than 280,000 residents across more than nine counties. We care for more emergency and trauma cases, including stroke and heart attack, than any other health system in the region.
We provide 911 coverage through EMS and AirMed 12 across Burleson, Grimes, Madison, and a portion of Leon counties. Our primary functions in those counties include transporting critical care patients to higher-level care facilities and servicing 911 calls. In addition, our EMS team serves as a backup 911 provider to Brazos County through mutual aid response.
Our advanced Emergency & Trauma Center at St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital was designed by a team of healthcare professionals to improve the patient experience. Extending the healing ministry of Jesus, St. Joseph Health provides excellent healthcare for even the most serious cases. St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital has the region's most comprehensive specialist availability. The Emergency & Trauma Center at St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital has been built with you in mind.
When minutes count, our team of skilled EMTs and paramedics bring you quality care with seamless transport to quality providers of your choice. Trained in the same standards and protocols used by the highest-accredited Emergency & Trauma Center in the region, St. Joseph Health EMS offers expert care patients can trust for stroke, heart attack, and other medical emergencies.
The trauma program at St. Joseph Health is a designated Level III Trauma Center by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
St. Joseph Health Air Med 12 is the only air medical transport team in the Brazos Valley, transporting patients to hospitals throughout the region – including hospitals in Houston, Austin, and Temple. Through a partnership with Med-Trans Corporation, Air Med 12 combines quality emergency care with the capabilities of the country’s leading provider of air medical transport.
When an emergency occurs, you can’t afford to make the wrong decisions. You need an ER that delivers high-quality care, is affiliated with a major hospital and accepts major insurance plans. That’s why St. Joseph Health emergency facilities are in network with most major insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna.
What to expect at the ER
When you arrive at the emergency room, you can expect to be greeted by a triage nurse who will assess the severity of your condition. This initial evaluation helps prioritize patients based on the urgency of their medical needs. After triage, you'll be asked to provide personal and medical information, including symptoms and medical history.
Once called back, a healthcare provider will conduct a thorough examination and may order diagnostic tests such as blood work, X-rays, or imaging scans to determine the cause of your symptoms. Depending on the findings, you may receive treatment in the ER, be admitted to the hospital for further care, or discharged with instructions for follow-up care.
Throughout your visit, the ER staff will keep you informed about your condition and treatment plan, addressing any concerns or questions you may have along the way. Remember that wait times can vary depending on the severity of other patients' conditions, so your patience is appreciated as the medical team works to provide timely and effective care.
You never know when an emergency might happen. All you can do is be prepared for one. Here, you can find numerous resources and step-by-step instructions for a variety of incidents, from fire safety to what to do when someone around you has a heart attack.
Frequently asked questions
If you think you may be experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. You can request that they take you to a St. Joseph Health emergency room.
While urgent care clinics and emergency rooms have similarities (they’re open 24/7 and accept walk-ins), they also have many differences. Emergency rooms can treat any condition that an urgent care facility can treat, but the reverse is not true. Emergency rooms tend to have more medical professionals on staff and have a greater range of capabilities. Patients at our emergency rooms also benefit from seamless admission to the nearest St. Joseph Health hospital, if necessary.
Emergency care is any type of medical service necessary for the prevention of death or severe harm to a patient.
If you experience any life-threatening symptoms, a trip to the emergency room is necessary. These include:
If you think you may be experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. You can request that they take you to a St. Joseph Health emergency room.
Patients can go to the emergency room for any symptom, but it isn’t always the best option. For example, a patient could seek emergency care for the common cold. However, they may end up waiting for an extended amount of time, as emergency rooms prioritize patients with life-threatening conditions, even if they arrive later. If the condition is not life-threatening and you can reasonably wait for treatment, a virtual or in-person visit with a specialist may be a cheaper and more efficient option.
It is safe to go to the ER during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have implemented additional safety procedures, including mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, and innovative cleaning techniques, to keep our patients as safe as possible. In fact, avoiding the emergency room due to the pandemic can be dangerous, as putting off care for a medical emergency can result in severe complications.
Looking for a doctor? Perform a quick search by name or browse by specialty.
The COVID-19 pandemic expanded virtual medicine’s reach dramatically. At St. Joseph Health, virtual care occurs in patients’ homes and in the hospital.
Read More Additional information about Maximizing Virtual Medicine to Achieve Optimal Real-Life Results
Hypertension can lead to many health problems, including heart disease and stroke. But regular blood pressure checks and lifestyle changes can help you control it.
Read More Additional information about Knowing Your Blood Pressure Readings Could Save Your LifeLooking for a doctor? Perform a quick search by name or browse by specialty.
