Emergency rooms (ERs) in the Greater Charleston area

If you or a loved one experiences an injury, illness or severe symptoms of any kind, we know a timely diagnosis and effective treatment are important for you and your family. If those symptoms include chest pain symptoms, sudden dizziness, weakness or numbness in your arms and/or legs, getting fast emergency care is critical.

At Trident Health System, our emergency rooms are staffed by board-certified ER physicians who provide safe and compassionate care to Lowcountry residents quickly and efficiently.

If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

Emergency care near you

Our ERs offer fast diagnoses for more severe conditions like heart attacks or cerebrovascular accidents (strokes). We also use advanced technology and expertise to treat severely injured and critically ill patients.

Our specialists involve staff from multiple medical specialties for comprehensive care. We stabilize and prepare patients for release, hospitalization or transfer to our intensive care unit for round-the-clock critical care.

Freestanding emergency rooms

Along with our ERs at Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center, we provide more even more locations to address your medical emergencies through our freestanding ERs (FSERs). Our FSERs offer the same services as our traditional ERs, including sprains and twists, severely broken bones and chest pain. FSERs offer round-the-clock services seven days a week, 365 days a year. Our FSER locations are:

  • Brighton Park Emergency: Located approximately a mile north of the North Main Street exit off Interstate 26 in Summerville.
  • Centre Pointe Emergency: Located at the corner of International Blvd. and Emmett Davis Jr. Ave. near the Tanger Outlets and the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston
  • James Island Emergency: Our FSER is the only freestanding ER on James Island, SC. It is conveniently located at 945 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.
  • Moncks Corner Medical Center: Our FSER is a part of a medical center that serves Berkeley County communities located about two miles north of the Berkeley County Airport.

ER Fast Track

All emergencies are important, but not all emergencies require the same amount of medical attention. We offer “fast track” services to expedite the care of patients less critically ill. Our Fast Track service at our ERs is designed to quickly treat patients with mild ailments and injuries, like colds and cuts. Patients in our ER Fast Track are cared for in a separate area within our emergency department.

Common reasons to visit an ER

Situations that suddenly become urgent or life-threatening are indicators that one needs emergency medical attention right away. Top symptoms include:

  • Sudden chest pain
  • Numbness or weakness on one side of the body, arm or leg
  • Experience serious injury like a bad fall, deep cut or fainting
  • A chronic condition that worsens like asthma, low blood sugar or severe seizure
  • Mental illness that has become dangerous to the person or others

Specialty advanced care centers

When patients come to our emergency rooms, their injuries may need specialized care. When that happens, we quickly and efficiently transfer them to higher care while working with you and your family on treatment options. We offer advanced specialized care for traumatic injuries, stroke symptoms, severe burns and pediatric emergency care.

Burn care services

At Trident Medical Center, the Joseph M. Still Burn Clinic is one of the only outpatient burn clinic offering outpatient treatment to patients of all ages with burn injuries in the Lowcountry. Our specialists provide care for acute injury or in-patient follow-up from our Joseph M. Still Burn Clinic in Augusta, Georgia. Our one-day-a-week burn clinic is open every Wednesday, offering a multispecialty approach to burn care management.

Emergency care for children

All of our emergency rooms are pediatric ready with ER specialists who know how to provide optimal comfort for your little one.

When your child needs more specialized care, we admit them to the pediatric ER at Summerville Medical Center. SMC's pediatric ER has in-house pediatrician-trained physicians, nurses and support staff available 24/7, ready for any mishaps that affect your child.

Stroke centers

If you see someone experiencing facial drooping, arm or leg numbness or slurred speech, the symptoms may indicate a stroke and they may need immediate medical attention. With cerebrovascular accident (stroke) symptoms, a quick response reduces brain damage, long-term injury or even loss of life.

The Joint Commission recognizes both Trident Medical Center (TMC) and SMC as Primary Stroke Centers. Our neurology team treats stroke symptoms using a multidisciplinary approach. Our stroke centers provide:

  • Dedicated stroke program
  • Dedicated stroke-trained staff who provide rapid response
  • Rehabilitation assessment
  • Stroke education and prevention programs

Level II Trauma Center in Charleston

Not every hospital is prepared to treat trauma patients. However, at Trident Medical Center we have a specially trained team to care for your life-threatening injuries, verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Our trauma team has the proven expertise to save lives.

And, as a South Carolina-designated Level II Trauma Center, we voluntarily provide a higher level of care for the most critically injured patients. Our trauma center treats conditions like:

  • Physical injuries like back or neck fractures
  • Severe burns
  • Severe head injuries or fractures
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Wounds from gunshots or stabbings