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Emergency Care

Centra Emergency Departments are open 24 hours to serve our patients and communities. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
Emergency Department

Our approach to care

Centra Emergency Departments (EDs) are here to help when you or someone you care about needs medical attention. We provide fast, life-saving care for serious conditions like trauma, heart attacks, strokes, and other emergencies. If needed, Centra Transport Services and our Centra One helicopter can quickly take patients to the hospital best suited to treat them.

However, Emergency Department care is not the same as regular check-ups with your family doctor. The care you receive in the ED is for urgent needs only. Centra encourages all patients to have a primary care provider who can help manage your health over time.

Related Services

Centra One Flight Services

Centra One’s flight team, responds to the scene of major accidents, performs inter-facility transports for critically ill patients, and provides medical service to the central Virginia region.

Trauma Services

Lynchburg General Hospital is one of 19 trauma centers in the commonwealth of Virginia, and one of seven Level II Centers.

EmPATH

EmPATH is a model of care that helps eliminate isolation and extended wait times by placing patients in a shared, open area where Caregivers, behavioral health experts and other patients interact and support one another.

Forensic Services

If you experience assault or abuse in any form please seek medical care and support immediately. We are here to help.

Where you can find us

We have a number of conveniently located facilities in your neighborhood. See all Locations

Meet our team

Centra's team of Caregivers is dedicated to providing the most advanced, personalized care.
ED

What to expect when you visit the Emergency Room

In the ED, we do not treat patients in the order they arrive. Instead, we decide who gets treated first based on a evidence based triage process. This process takes the following into account:

  • The severity of your illness or injury
  • The resources needed for your care
  • The type of treatment required

The wait time can vary depending on how many patients are there and how serious their conditions are. If ambulances bring in patients with life-threatening injuries or conditions, it may take longer for other patients to be seen.

For serious emergencies—like car accidents, bad falls, chest pain, trouble breathing, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others—CALL 9-1-1 right away.

Steps of Emergency Care

Step 1: Check In/Registration

When you arrive at an ED, a staff member will ask for your name, date of birth, and why you are visiting. This information helps us prepare for your care and adds you to the treatment list. If you’ve been to Centra before, we can also look at your past medical history. Before you leave, our registration team will check in with you again to finish this process. It’s helpful to have your address, phone number, photo ID, and insurance cards if possible.

Step 2: Triage

Triage is a process that helps us decide how quickly to treat patients based on how serious their illness or injury is. We will ask about your health history, check your vital signs (temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure), and may ask for tests like blood work or X-rays. During this time, you will wait to be seen by a provider, which could be a doctor, physician assistant (PA), or nurse practitioner (NP). After triage, you might be sent back to the waiting room or a holding area until a treatment space is available. Let our staff know if your symptoms change. Don’t eat or drink anything without asking first. If you have questions, feel free to ask.

Step 3: Medical Exam/Treatment

Your care will depend on your specific needs, based on what your provider (doctor, PA, or NP) finds. If needed, we may bring in specialists to help with your care. Our team will work hard to make you comfortable and keep you and your family updated, but please feel free to ask questions. Our EDs are open 24/7 with doctors and nurses, plus a team of imaging technicians, lab workers, and specialists. In some cases, specialists may be available through telemedicine (like for stroke or mental health care) to ensure you get the best care.

Step 4: Leaving the Emergency Department

Once your exam is done and the test results are reviewed, your care team will discuss the next steps with you. This could include going home, staying in the hospital for more treatment, or getting additional care.

Admission to ED

Admission/Transfer

If you need more treatment or care that can’t be done in the Emergency Department, you may be admitted to the hospital. If needed, we will arrange for your transfer to another Centra facility for specialized testing or services that are not available at your current location. In some cases, you may need to be transferred to a larger hospital, like UVA or VCU, for even more specialized care. We’ll take care of all the arrangements for you.

Discharge from ED

Discharge and Follow-Up

Most people return home after their visit to the ED. When you leave, you will receive instructions for care at home, follow-up visits, and any medications prescribed by your doctor. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask. You can also view your instructions and any test results through HealthyU.

 Sign up for HealthyU

Reasons to visit an Emergency Department

Call 911 or visit the closest ED if you or someone experiences conditions that threaten a life or limb, such as

  • Broken bones
  • Coughing or vomiting blood
  • Chest pain
  • Deep cuts/lacerations
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Intense abdominal pain
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
Emergency Department -

Important contact information

Poison Control Center
Call Poison Control
Visit Poison Control's website

Suicide/Crisis Helpline
9-8-8
Visit Lifeline's website

Emergency services: 
Call 9-1-1

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