When you have a medical crisis, every moment counts. At Humboldt General Hospital, our emergency room (ER) is here for you 24/7. Our emergency specialists provide the expert care your family needs, when you need it.
Our ER facilities and staff
Our emergency department includes:
- Eight private patient rooms.
- State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.
- A decontamination room for hazardous waste incidents.
- Negative pressure rooms for patients needing isolation precautions.
- 2 trauma/critical care rooms for stabilization of critical patients.
- 2 behavioral health safe rooms.
All of our ER doctors have extensive education and certifications in emergency medicine. They work closely with other departments, such as obstetrics, the intensive care unit, and the new Cardiac Clinic. Orthopedic and general surgeons are always available.
Our team also includes nurses who have advanced certification for all levels of patients, from basic to advanced life support, trauma, and pediatric emergencies.
Since HGH is a medical residency hospital, residents, medical students, and student nurses are often on hand as well. All of these professionals are focused on your well-being and comfort.
Is it an emergency?
Reviewed 3/6/2023
Signs of a stroke
The signs of a stroke often appear suddenly—and they require fast action. Keep scrolling to learn more about important stroke warning signs and how to spot them.
F: Face drooping. Does one side of the face droop? Is it numb?
How to check: Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?
A: Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb?
How to check: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S: Speech difficulty. Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand?
How to check: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like “The sky is blue.” Can he or she repeat it correctly?
T: Time to call 911. If someone shows any of these signs, call 911 immediately—even if the signs go away. Make sure to note the time when the first symptoms appeared.
OTHER POSSIBLE SIGNS OF A STROKE
- Severe headache with no known cause.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of a leg.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
If someone shows any of these signs, call 911 right away.
TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT A STROKE
Learning your stroke risk factors can help you understand what changes you need to make to protect your health.
Source: American Stroke Association
Source
- American Stroke Association. "Stroke Symptoms." https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms.
Examples of symptoms that warrant a visit to the emergency room include:
- Chest pain.
- Stroke symptoms.
- Trouble breathing.
- Significant bleeding.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Unexplained bruising or another injury.
Less-serious symptoms are better suited to the HGH walk-in clinic. These include moderate fever, sprains, urinary tract infections, and controlled bleeding.
What to expect at the ER
If you are able, grab your photo ID and insurance card before you come to the ER. Also bring any prescription medications, durable power of attorney, or a do-not-resuscitate order, if applicable.
When you arrive, our staff will check you in, and be triaged by a nurse appropriately. As soon as possible, a doctor will see you, review your medical information, and determine a course of treatment. Timely, thorough care is our priority. That's why we see the most serious patients first.
Wait times at the HGH emergency department are typically much shorter than what you can expect at larger hospitals. However, if you feel your condition has worsened during your wait, please let us know right away. Your comfort is our concern.
Consistent care helps everyone heal faster. Our ER doctors work 24-hour shifts. This allows them to provide personalized attention without worrying about shift changes or lapses in care. When you leave the ER, your physician will give you detailed instructions. At HGH, we are with you every step of your health journey.