NKCH Emergency Department

If you believe you're having a stroke or heart attack, call 911 and do not drive yourself to the ER

Life-saving care begins in the ambulance, and EMS workers will notify the Emergency Room of your condition en route to the hospital.

When to Visit the Emergency Department

Come to the ER if you or someone you know has an emergent condition, such as:

• Broken bones or complicated fractures
• Chest pain or stroke symptoms
• Convulsions or loss of consciousness
• Difficulty speaking or breathing
• Face or eye trauma
• Head, back or neck injury
• Knife or gun wound
• Poisoning 
• Serious injuries or burns
• Sudden or severe pain, especially in the chest or abdomen 
• Thoughts of harming yourself or others
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Weakness or inability to walk
• Vomiting/coughing up blood

When to Seek Care Elsewhere

North Kansas City Hospital is a Level II Trauma Center and has over 70,000 emergency room visits a year. With thousands of patients relying on our care, it's important to only visit the ER for true medical emergencies. By determining if your condition is emergent or non-emergent, you're helping ensure our ER is available to those who need it most.

Non-Emergent Conditions:

• Earaches or infection
• Minor fever or flu-like symptoms
• Minor cut(s)
• Minor, non-life-threatening allergic reaction
• Upset stomach
• Skin condition
• Strep throat

Non-emergent conditions do not require a visit to the Emergency Room. If you or a loved one requires treatment for a non-emergent condition, consider visiting Meritas Health Express.