24-Hour Emergency Services

The Emergency Department (ED) provides Level II emergency services. It is operated on a 24-hour basis with at least one qualified physician on duty at all times. The department is capable of instituting essential life-saving measures and implementing emergency procedures to minimize further compromise of any patient. Specialty consultation is available continuously and within 30 minutes. Provisions exist for transfer of patients to other facilities when requested, when resources in the hospital are not available, and when specialized services not available at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC) are needed. The bed capacity of the department includes 19 beds, with 6 available for cardiac monitoring.

CCRMC is a referral center for patients on involuntary psychiatric hold. Care of these patients is coordinated with Mental Health Crisis Service and the ED serves to screen and treat acute medical/physical diseases of these patients prior and during their stay on the crisis unit. Resident physicians in family practice receive core ED experience in the department seven days a week. Supervision is provided each day by a designated department attending or "regsitrar."

Because speed and efficiency are all-important when it comes to emergencies, we designed the Emergency Department to increase patient flow and improve patient care. The technologically advanced department is equipped with the latest in high-tech monitoring equipment and includes special rooms for pediatrics, OB/Gyn, orthopaedics, and ear, nose, and throat emergencies. A pleasant waiting area for patients and their families is provided.