Most Reliable 24 Hour Emergency Service in San Antonio
Whether it’s a broken bone, a deep cut that needs stitching, or something more serious, Southwest General Hospital is prepared to take care of your emergency care needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our board-certified emergency room doctors and nurses are always here to handle a medical crisis with timely, high-quality treatment.
We know that all medical emergencies are stressful. Our staff is committed to easing your fears and concerns by providing frequent progress reports about your diagnosis, condition, and treatment.
When Should I Visit the Emergency Room?
For immediate care, call 911.
For Poison Control, call 1-800-222-1222.
Go straight to the emergency room if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Severe abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Head injury accompanied by loss of consciousness
- Sudden dizziness, weakness, or loss of balance/coordination
- Sudden blurred vision
- Sudden and severe headache
- Loss of sensation in face, arms or legs
- Severe burns
- Seizures
Southwest General Hospital offers comprehensive heart attack and stroke care in the emergency room. We rapidly diagnose and treat chest pain. If you’re experiencing chest pain, call 911 or go directly to the ER!
What Should I Expect When Visiting Southwest General ER?
Triage
When you arrive, a registered nurse will conduct an initial exam, take your vital signs and complete a brief medical history. Triage helps us determine the severity of your emergency and allows us to take care of the most urgent cases right away. That’s why someone who arrives after you may be treated before you. We work to see everyone as quickly as possible and we attend to the most critical needs first.
Registration
During registration, we will ask you to sign a treatment consent form and to provide your name, address, phone number, personal physician and insurance information. For your convenience, if an exam room is available, a registration clerk will gather this information at your bedside. If a room is not available, and your emergency is not life-threatening, you may be asked to remain in the reception area until a room is ready for you.
Evaluation
Once you are in the treatment area, a physician will examine you and order any tests needed to evaluate your condition. Depending on the type of illness or injury, a nurse may start an IV or obtain a blood or urine sample, or you may undergo diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or a CT scan. Our goal is to keep you comfortable and conduct tests as quickly as possible. Some tests take longer to complete, and we appreciate your patience as we work to provide you with the most prompt, courteous, and comprehensive emergency care we can offer.
Treatment
Your treatment will depend on your physician’s orders after the medical evaluation is complete. Our staff will keep you informed about what to expect during every part of the treatment process.
Admission or Discharge
Most patients are treated and discharged to go home from the ER. If you are admitted to the hospital, you will be transferred to a patient room and we will notify your primary care physician. If you do not have a physician, a physician on our staff will coordinate your care while you’re at the hospital.
Resources
Sport Safety Tips for Your Kids
Worried about your child’s safety during his or her school sports program? Check out these helpful tips from Drew Rogers, MD, orthopedic sports surgeon with Steward Health Care. First, know the rules and protective equipment required for each sport, and ensure equipment fits properly and is in good condition.
Steward Health Care