Emergency Medicine

Immediate, Life-Saving Care

Get medical attention fast when you need it most. We keep our emergency room wait times as low as possible to ensure you get immediate critical care. All Sanford Health emergency centers have trained specialists on call 24/7 to offer the region’s highest level of trauma care.

Whatever your emergency health care needs, come to Sanford Health for access to advanced technology and trained specialists. Your care team consists of trauma doctors and nurses, emergency surgeons and anesthesiologists. All are medical experts ready to provide specialized care to patients quickly.

Call 911 in an emergency or go to the nearest emergency room. For poison control, call 1-800-222-1222.

When calling emergency services, always:

• Speak calmly and clearly
• Know your location and be aware of your surroundings
• Listen to and answer all questions
• Don’t hang up until the dispatcher tells you to

Find an ER Near You

Visit an emergency room in your area. Sanford Emergency Centers provide emergency air ambulance services for those who need immediate care but aren’t near a care center. In an emergency, call 911. 

The Best Trauma Care in the Region

Sanford Health has two Level I Adult Trauma Centers verified by the American College of Surgeons: Sanford Medical Center Fargo and Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. As a Level I Trauma Center, these locations provide the highest level of trauma care for patients in the region. Sanford Health also has the only trauma center in the area with a dedicated trauma research program, and in Sioux Falls, Sanford Health is home to the only verified Pediatric Trauma Center in the state of South Dakota.

Do You Need Emergency Care?

It is always best to be on the safe side. Get medical attention anytime you feel uncomfortable or uncertain about a medical situation. Call for help at either 911 or from your primary doctor. Anytime you need specialized care fast, go to an emergency room near you. Act quickly to save a life or prevent a serious emergency.

Find a list of symptoms and conditions that require immediate attention for adults and children.

Do you have your emergency contact information updated and ready?

Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Sanford Health offers pediatric care for life-threatening injuries and acute illnesses in patients 21 and younger. Pediatric emergency specialists are specifically trained in emergency medicine that focuses on children. Find a Pediatric Emergency Center.

Other Care Options

Go to a Sanford Walk-In Clinic if you need urgent care. Our clinics address medical needs that a primary care doctor can treat, but that can't wait for an appointment. These clinics are not emergency rooms, and you should not go to one if you need life-saving care.

Sanford Health’s intensive care units (ICUs) provide long-term care for critical trauma patients. An emergency room stabilizes patients and then transfers them to an ICU for further intensive care. Our ICUs are fully equipped and provide 24/7 care from a team of medical specialists.