Emergency care
Emergency care is the treatment of unexpected, severe medical injuries or infections. It is typically delivered in an emergency room or an ambulance. Our emergency medicine physicians stabilize your condition as quickly as possible to prepare you for the next step of care or discharge.
Emergency room (ER) in Charleston, South Carolina
When injury, illness or severe symptoms occur, we know how crucial it is to get the care you need.
Our commitment is to provide you with safe, compassionate care.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Common reasons to visit our emergency room
Certain symptoms can sometimes be a sign of something more serious and life-threatening. It's important to be aware of these, as swift attention may be necessary. Some conditions we treat include:
- Fractures
- Heart attacks
- Physical injuries
- Severe burns
- Severe head injuries
- Body numbness or weakness
- Serious wounds
- Strokes
- Sudden chest pains
- Sudden dizziness
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Worsening chronic conditions
Our trained specialists can use advanced technology and expertise to help treat your conditions and symptoms.
Specialty emergency care offerings
When you entrust us with your care, we provide tailored, specialized support. Our expertise extends to treating a wide range of needs with advanced care options.
Burn care services
The Joseph M. Still Burn Clinic stands out as one of the few outpatient burn clinics in the Lowcountry that provides comprehensive outpatient treatment to patients of all ages.
Our team of burn care specialists prioritizes a multidisciplinary approach in the handling and treatment of severe burns of all degrees. Our primary goal is your complete healing, and our dedicated care team is committed to guiding you in the path to recovery.
Our specialists treat a wide range of burns, including:
- Chemical burns
- Electrical burns
- Friction burns
- Frostbite
- Road rash
- Thermal burns
Our outpatient burn clinic is comprised of highly qualified surgeons, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners and registered nurses.
Heart attack care
Our emergency specialists are highly trained in diagnosing and treating heart attacks. You should go to the emergency room if you begin experiencing these heart attack symptoms:
- Anxiety or a sense of dread
- Chest pain (may be described as discomfort, pressure, ache, burning or fullness; may begin or worsen with exercise or be relieved with rest or nitroglycerin)
- Cough
- Fast heart rate
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Indigestion
- Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up)
- Pain in the back, jaw and other upper body areas (the pain might go away and come back)
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Weakness or fatigue
If you are a woman, you may experience more subtle heart attack symptoms such as:
- Light-headedness
- Nausea
- Pain in the jaw or upper back
- Shortness of breath
Treat these symptoms seriously as heart attacks can quickly become critical and possibly fatal. Immediately call 911 if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms.
Stroke care
Facial drooping, arm or leg numbness or slurred speech are all indicators of a stroke. If you see someone experiencing these signs, it is important they seek immediate medical attention. Swift action may lower their risk of brain damage, long-term injury or potentially loss of life.
Our facility is recognized by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. Our neurology team uses a multidisciplinary approach to treating stroke symptoms, and some of these approaches include:
- Dedicated stroke program
- Dedicated stroke-trained staff who provide rapid response
- Rehabilitation assessment
- Stroke education and prevention programs
Level II Trauma Center
The specialists at our facility are verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), and have proven expertise in compassionately caring for life-threatening injuries.
Our trauma center treats severe conditions, including:
- Physical injuries, like back or neck fractures
- Severe burns
- Severe head injuries or fractures
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Wounds from gunshots or stabbings
Our intensive care unit
Experts in our ICU provide supportive, individualized care for you in moments of uncertainty.
Our ICU utilizes specialized medical equipment, such as advanced heart monitors, feeding tubes, catheters and ventilators for breathing assistance. In addition, you may be prescribed pain medication for comfort or treatment used to filter water and waste from your blood.
Some of our ICU services include:
- Close observation
- Coronary care
- Level II Special Care Nursery
- Medical/surgical intensive care
- Open heart recovery
- Pediatric intensive care
- Telemetry
No matter what service you or a loved one may need, our staff will deliver the support you and your family deserve.