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Methodist Healthcare

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 rooms (ERs) in San Antonio

Health emergencies can be unsettling, but it is important you know that you don't have to face them alone.

For more than 55 years, the emergency specialists at Methodist Healthcare have proudly acted as allies and advocates for your health. With such an extensive network throughout Greater San Antonio, we strive to have an emergency room available for you when you need it most, getting you the care you need, while helping you understand your circumstances.

Emergency rooms in San Antonio Texas

If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.

Methodist Healthcare has full-service ERs and community-based free-standing ERs that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our team of specially trained ER and trauma physicians, registered nurses and other medical staff are prepared to deliver quality, compassionate care for you and your family.

Our freestanding ER locations

At Methodist Healthcare, our goal is to provide safe and convenient emergency care for our community. In addition to our main hospital ER's, we have several free-standing emergency rooms located through San Antonio to help provide the emergency care you need, close to home.

Our pediatric friendly ER locations

At Methodist Children's Hospital, we offer an emergency department that is solely devoted to helping young patients who require emergency medical attention. Our additional pediatric-friendly locations are designed to treat the emergency medical needs of children in a comfortable and safe environment, close to home.

What is a freestanding emergency room?

A free-standing emergency department is a full-service, emergency center that is physically separate from a hospital. You can think of us as your neighborhood ER.

These neighborhood ERs are conveniently located in your backyard for easy access to medical care. With convenient parking, socially distanced lobbies and shorter wait times, at a Free-Standing Emergency Department, you’ll spend more time with your physician and less time waiting for the medical care. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and we’re here to help you and your family, when you’re in need.

Conditions we can treat

Adult emergency conditions

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • Accidents
  • Acid reflux
  • Allergic reactions
  • Appendicitis
  • Chest pain
  • Cold or flu
  • Concussion
  • Diverticulitis
  • Fever
  • Food poisoning
  • Gallstones
  • Hernia
  • Indigestion
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Poisonings
  • Serious burns
  • Sexual Assault
  • Stomach pain
  • Stomach virus
  • Stroke
  • Ulcer

Pediatric emergency conditions

  • Breathing troubles
  • Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
  • Serious head injuries
  • Body numbness, tingling or weakness
  • Broken bones
  • Dangerous or toxic ingestion

Specialized programs and services offered throughout the Methodist Healthcare Network

Forensic Nursing Service SANE program

The Forensic Nursing Service department at Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant strives to help victims of sexual assault begin the healing process. Since 1998, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) have provided care to patients age 13 years old and older that have been a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence and sex trafficking in Bexar County and South Texas.

Know when you should go to the Emergency Room

Medical emergencies are not always obvious. Sometimes, you find yourself worrying that you aren’t sick enough or thinking that you can wait it out. But in that moment, deciding to call 911 or go to the ER could save a life. Here are some common reasons both adults and kids require emergency medical attention:<

Should I go to an Urgent Care or an Emergency Room

Urgent care locations or walk-in clinics typically treat minor illnesses like the flu or strep throat, which makes CareNow® locations ideal for treating 24-hour bugs and minor illnesses if you are unable to see your primary care doctor.

Although urgent care centers are equipped to quickly diagnose and treat a variety of minor illnesses and injuries, if you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Below, we have outlined instances where patients should go directly to the emergency room versus receiving non-emergent care at an urgent care clinic.

Some common reasons to visit an urgent care center include:

  • Cold, flu or seasonal allergies and illnesses
  • Rashes or skin conditions
  • Breaks, twists and sprains
  • Sore throat
  • Minor burns

Our Care Now Urgent Care locations

Medical Emergency Transport Assistance

The Medical Emergency Transport Assistance (META) is a service provided by Methodist Healthcare to U.S. travelers abroad and residents in other countries in need of emergency medical transport to our high-level, acute-care hospitals.

In order to respond immediately to medical emergencies, Methodist Healthcare has a protocol that can be activated by placing one phone call. When the phone call is received, an air ambulance can be arranged, the appropriate specialist is notified and hospital admission is secured.

Methodist Healthcare partners with air ambulance companies to provide this service.

Here are some tips for you and your emergency contact before you travel:

  • Let your family and friends know where you will be in case they are contacted for an emergency.
  • Take your insurance card, and leave a copy with your family or friends.
  • Take a list of the medicines that you take, and leave a copy with your family or friends.
  • Save all the following telephone numbers to your cell phone, and give them to your loved ones:
  • Leave a copy of your ID with family and friends.
  • Leave a signed power of attorney with your family doctor and family.
  • Let your credit card company know where and how long you will be out of town.
  • Let your medical insurance know where and how long you will be out of town.
  • Check your international medical coverage and emergency medical transport coverage.

Methodist AirCare

Methodist AirCare provides life-saving emergency transport for adults and children throughout south and central Texas. Methodist Hospital serves as a home base to the bright yellow helicopter and its highly skilled medical crew.

Some high-tech features Methodist AirCare offers include bedside admitting, electronic medication administration records, computerized provider order entry and picture archiving and communications systems.

These tools help ensure the most efficient models of safety and quality care for the patient by taking full advantage of these technological advances.

How to contact the Department of Transportation to file a complaint

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 requires Air Ambulance Providers to include the hotline telephone number ((202) 366-2220), website address, and contact information (Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75, US Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20590) for the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Aviation Consumer Advocate on its website.

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We also offer quality care at these other locations in our extended network.
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