Emergency and Trauma
Emergency and Trauma
Our Approach
As a Level III Trauma Center – the highest-level trauma center in the county – Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka Emergency Department (ED) is always ready to serve you if you find yourself facing an unexpected traumatic injury.
We’re certified as an emergency department approved for pediatrics (EDAP) by the North Coast Emergency Medical Services Agency. EDAP-certified hospitals voluntarily meet the standards of care for children aged 14 years and under, providing pediatric-sized equipment and specific staff to address children’s unique medical needs.
The State Department of Health Services and North Coast Emergency Medical Services Agency have also designated our ED as a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) receiving center for serious heart attacks. We meet the guidelines to receive this designation, including the 90-minute goal of restoring blood flow to patients who show symptoms of an acute heart attack.
Additionally, we’ve been certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. This highlights our commitment to immediate stroke care, which can save lives and minimize a stroke’s long-term effects.
Expert trauma care, close to home
Traumatic injuries can occur at any place and any time, so offering thorough emergency trauma care is our primary focus. Our trauma services adhere to rigorous resource and preparedness standards, ensuring that we deliver prompt, coordinated care to our community.
Our trauma team works swiftly to provide life-saving treatment. We’re prepared to offer rapid care year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We’ve also developed a Fast Track System that helps provide immediate care for patients with minor injuries – like non-threatening colds, flu symptoms, sprains or cuts – since they can be treated by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Our Fast Track System helps free up beds and decreases wait times for less urgent cases.
Any time you have a condition that could be serious or life-threatening, you should go to the nearest ED.
We treat a wide variety of injuries, including but not limited to:
- Accidents resulting in brain or spinal cord injuries
- Blunt trauma, which can occur during car crashes, falls, assaults, etc.
- Heart attacks
- Injuries that result in internal bleeding
- Orthopedic injuries
- Penetrating trauma, like gunshot wounds, stab wounds and lacerations
- Strokes
We provide all necessary testing and diagnostic services, including:
- Blood bank
- Diagnostic imaging
- CT scans
- MRI
- Ultrasound, including bedside ultrasounds
- X-ray
- Laboratory Services
Our trauma team consists of board-certified surgeons and advanced practice providers. They’re experienced in providing immediate, comprehensive care to trauma patients.
In addition, we have a strong multidisciplinary team to support our trauma surgeons. Their specialties include:
- Neurosurgery
- Nutrition
- Orthopedic surgery
- Palliative care
- Pharmacy
- Rehabilitation services like physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy
- Respiratory services
- Social services and case management
- Spiritual care
- Vascular surgery
We strive to treat everyone who comes through our doors as quickly as possible. However, we do treat those with the most serious conditions first, so you may not receive treatment in the order in which you arrived.
Please also be aware of the following:
- We allow families and friends to visit patients during their evaluation, and we can keep them informed of your progress and treatment.
- The ED doctor can discuss all available test results with you. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions after your discharge.
- If you have a primary care doctor, we can send the doctor a complete report of your ED visit.
- If you don’t have a primary care doctor, we can refer you to a doctor who can provide follow-up care.
Injury Prevention Programs
At Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka, we prioritize injury prevention as the most effective treatment strategy. Current data reveals that the top three sources of traumatic injuries are falls, motor vehicle accidents and assaults. Committed to the health and well-being of our community, we offer continuous public education and resources aimed at enhancing injury prevention for individuals of all ages.
The STOP THE BLEED® course empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively respond to bleeding emergencies. Participants learn how to recognize life-threatening bleeding, apply appropriate techniques to control the bleeding, and utilize essential tools such as tourniquets and wound-packing materials. By the end of the course, attendees are equipped with the confidence and ability to provide immediate assistance in critical situations, potentially saving lives before professional medical help arrives.
The trauma team at Providence St. Joseph Eureka includes certified STOP THE BLEED® instructors. If you have any questions about the program or available classes, please contact us.
Falls are a major concern among the elderly, resulting in serious health issues and diminished quality of life. They can cause hip fractures, head injuries and other severe complications. As ground-level falls are the leading cause of injury admissions to our hospital, prioritizing injury prevention is essential.
Here are some helpful fall prevention resources:
- Falls and Prevention from the National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Falls Free Check-Up from the National Council on Aging (NCOA)
- Older Adult Fall Prevention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room from the NIA
Helmets play a vital role in saving lives and preventing injuries. Wearing the correct helmet and protective gear while riding any recreational wheeled device, such as a bike, e-bike, skateboard or scooter, is the most effective way to prevent head and brain injuries.
Providence ensures that patients with accident-related injuries receive a new helmet voucher through our Helmet Safety Program. We provide these vouchers upon discharge for patients whose bicycle or skateboard helmet was damaged during a trauma and for patients who weren’t wearing a helmet, so that everyone can obtain a new one – because we’re dedicated to your safety.
Here are some helpful helmet safety resources:
- Bike Helmet Safety Fact Sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Fitting Your Bike Helmet from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Helmet Fit Test from Safe Kids Worldwide
Recognition
U.S. News & World Report - High Performing Hospital in Heart Attack (2024-25)
U.S. News & World Report - High Performing Hospital in Heart Failure (2024-25)
Joint Commission with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association - Primary Stroke Center