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Emergency & Trauma

WHEN SECONDS COUNT. At HSHS St. John’s, you will find board-certified emergency medicine physicians, registered nurses and other specially trained staff ready to treat anyone seeking emergency medical care.

group of emergency care physicians and providers bringing a patient into surgery

Here with you when it matters most

Life can change in an instant. That’s why our board-certified emergency physicians are always ready. With advanced technology and world-class cardiologists, we’re prepared for the worst—so you receive the best care when it counts most. 

Emergency room doctor and nurses pushing hospital bed

Regional Trauma Center

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. St. John's offers our community experienced surgeons 24/7, an advanced surgery center and an on-site helipad. 

In an emergency, seconds matter. That's why we provide real time medical oversight and direction using evidence-based practices to first responders when they're in the field treating patients. We can activate special alert processes for heart attack and stroke patients.

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

Heart Attack & Stroke

Learn more about signs and symptoms

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St. John's EMS System

Learn about the Springfield Area Mobile Intensive Care System

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The Right Kind of Care

Explore all levels of care

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Saints Flight helicopter

Air transport

When seconds count, our team of professional medics take flight to transport you to our trauma center to ensure you receive life-saving care. Aviation services are provided by Air Methods® Corporation.

If you experience a burn

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 theknee or shoulder.


Dial. Don't Drive. Call 911

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

Here with you for life-saving care

Chris suffered a traumatic head injury and laid on his kitchen floor for 13 hours before he was found and rushed to HSHS St. John’s Hospital. He and his family are grateful for the expert, compassionate care that saved him and carried them through their darkest moments.