St. John's Services Emergency Care Regional Trauma Center

Regional Trauma Center

In An Emergency, We’re Always Ready.

As a certified Level I trauma center and a certified Level II pediatric trauma center, St. John's is prepared to provide the highest level of care for patients of all ages at a moment's notice. Our highly trained professionals provide real-time medical oversight and direction to paramedics when they're in the field treating patients and can activate trauma-specific processes.

Trauma patients requiring follow-up can be seen in the trauma clinic. To learn more, or make arrangements, call (217) 528-7541.

Your Health

One way to maintain your health is to have a primary care physician. Your doctor knows you and your medical history, so you get the right preventive care, treatment and follow-up care when you need it. Select an HSHS Medical Group doctor and get connected to a physician affiliated with HSHS St. John’s Hospital.

Emergent Care Needs VS. Convenient Walk-in Care Needs.

Emergency Medicine is different from walk-in clinics, such as Convenient Care. When you are experiencing ACUTE AND CRITICAL health issues, you need emergent care.

The most common complaints and diagnoses include chest pain, respiratory distress, occupational injuries, drug overdoses, severe abdominal pain, injuries from motor-vehicle accidents, seizure disorders, deep lacerations, eye injuries, suicidal risks and stroke signs or symptoms.

DIAL. DON'T DRIVE.

BENEFITS OF CALLING 9-1-1

Treatment starts at time of call to dispatch
Dispatch will advise initial treatment that can actually start at home
EMS continues treatment and diagnosis on scene
Oxygen and medications are given, EKG and blood pressure can be performed
EMS can also revive and resuscitate a patient
No delays driving to hospital - Lights and Siren
Present to hospital for immediate medical attention

Risks of Driving Yourself

No home assessment prior to driving to hospital
Passenger cars have to fight the other traffic and obey traffic lights
1 in 300 people experiencing a heart attack die on the way to the hospital
If the patient arrives OK, they will have to sign in, be triaged and then receive their first diagnostic treatment of EKG and blood pressure check
Oxygen and medications are given once the patient is brought to a room

The Difference Between A Stroke & A Heart Attack

Heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked and heart muscle cells begin to die. Restoring blood flow quickly stops the damage and preserves heart function.

Stroke occurs when blood flow is blocked to the brain. According to the National Stroke Association, two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, making fast treatment essential to survival and recovery.

Heart Attack Specialists

HSHS St. John’s Hospital is home to Prairie Heart Institute and is staffed Prairie Heart Cardiologist so that if you are experience a Heart Attack we can quickly assess a patient, saving heart muscle and increasing a patient's chance for full recovery.

Steve's story

When he suffered a heart attack, Steve and his wife were so thankful for the compassionate, coordinated care he received from HSHS St. John’s Hospital and the Prairie Heart Institute. The emergency department saved Steve’s life, and cardiac rehab at Prairie has given him new energy to enjoy the outdoor activities he loves. The Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. John’s Hospital is here with you for life-saving heart care. Learn more here.

Know the signs and call 911 if you are experiencing these symptoms.

The physicians and nurses who work in our Emergency Department are vital members of heart and stroke care teams and are on high alert 24/7 to accurately diagnose and provide you the medical treatment you need.

WARNING SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK IN WOMEN:

Pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in the center of the chest, spreading to the neck, shoulder or jaw
Chest discomfort with light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath
Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort
Unusual shortness of breath
Lower chest discomfort
Back pain
Unusual fatigue
Dizziness
Nausea

WARNING SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK IN MEN:

Chest pain or discomfort that can feel like uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the chest. It may last for more than a few minutes, or it can come and go.
Discomfort or pain in other areas, such as one or both arms, the neck, jaw, back or stomach
Shortness of breath, light-headedness, nausea, or sweating
Abdominal discomfort that may feel like indigestion

Identifying signs and symptoms of a stroke, remember the acronym FAST.

Face Drooping: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arm Weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?
Time to call 911: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

*Additional stroke signs include: sudden severe headache with no known cause, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; or sudden confusion or trouble understanding.

Treating Burns To Save Skin & Tissue

There are three types of burns that you may experience:

First-degree burns damage the top layer of skin causing redness, swelling and pain
Second-degree burns damage the outer skin and the dermis, the underlying skin layer
Third-degree burns destroy both layers of skin and damage the tissue below. These serious burns require immediate emergency medical care

Call 911 or head to the emergency room if the burn is larger than three inches across, if the skin is broken or scorched or is located on the face, hands, feet, genitals or a major joint such as knee or shoulder.