Emergency Care

Emergency Department, Room, & Staff

The Emergency Department at Kearney County Health Services is available to provide medical care for patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With in-house laboratory and radiological services departments, patients receive prompt, quality care at every encounter.

Our Emergency Department works in conjunction with local EMS and First Responders to bring surrounding communities a sense of safety and security. Working closely with EMS, we strive to provide a support system families depend upon—especially when seconds count!

Our care team works together to provide efficient, quality treatment for a number of problems, unpredictable injuries, and sudden illnesses, including:

• Early assessment and intervention for heart attacks
• Early assessment and intervention for strokes
• Treatment of falls, motor vehicle accidents, fractures, and sprains
• Asthma management
• Management of acute back pain
• Expertise in lacerations and abrasions
• Evaluation and management of acute abdominal pain
• Treatment for common infections, such as pneumonia, urinary, and skin infections
• Treatment of problems associated with diabetes, obstructive lung disease, heart disease and chronic medical problems.

When coming to the Emergency Department, please bring a complete list of home medications. This list should include all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and medication allergies.  Keep up-to-date medical information cards handy for each family member and bring them with you to the hospital.

The KCHS Emergency Department is staffed with Trauma-certified nurses, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Physicians prepared to care for your emergencies. With experience in trauma, cardiac, and stroke care, KCHS follows standards set by the American College of Surgeons, the American Heart Association, and the American Stroke Association.

American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline

KCHS is a participant in the American Heart Association’s program Mission: Lifeline, whose goal is to provide streamlined care for patients experiencing a heart attack or stroke from the time they call 911 to the time that they are discharged home.

Heart Attack

The faster a heart attack patient receives artery-clearing intervention, the better the chance of survival and recovery. Our ED coordinates with EMS to speed assessment and intervention, with the possibility of the first cardiac tracing in the ambulance.  The ED staff is alerted by radio and ready to act quickly when the patient arrives.  Emergency intervention for heart attacks is coordinated with nearby cardiologists.

Time is critical for anyone experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack. Waiting too long before going to the ED may increase the amount of heart damage.  Seeking immediate treatment can make a significant difference in the quality of life after recovery.  Depending on the type and severity of heart attack, transfer to a hospital capable of intervention can happen in less than 30 minutes.

Click here to see the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Click here to see the Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the US. According to the American Heart Association, someone in the US has a stroke about once every 40 seconds, and stroke kills someone in the US about every 4 minutes.  It is important that you identify the symptoms of stroke and seek treatment quickly!

Like heart attacks, the symptoms and long-term consequences of stroke can be decreased when treated quickly. Kearney County Health Services takes the treatment of stroke symptoms seriously, and can provide the needed screening to evaluate whether your symptoms are cause by a stroke.  In collaboration with EMS, the ED at KCHS will work quickly to identify and possible reverse these symptoms.

Click here to see the Warning Signs of Stroke

KCHS recently received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Rural Recognition Bronze Award. This award recognizes in-hospital programs for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to the latest scientific treatment guidelines and efforts to address the unique health needs of rural communities.

Developed with the goal to save lives and speed recovery, Get With The Guidelines programs have touched the lives of more than 13 million patients since 2001.Most hospitals that implement Get With The Guidelines realize measurable results, including improved patient outcomes and fewer recurring events. It’s a difference that shows in the lives of patients and their families and in the satisfaction felt by caregivers empowered to do their best.

There are a number of criteria that must be met in order to receive the award, such as: Door to CT times, multiple screening tools performed, minimum length of time requirements for treatments, and reporting requirements. For additional information on the Get With The Guidelines program, visit Quality Improvement Award Details or Get With The Guidelines Stroke Rural Recognition Criteria.