St. Cloud Hospital Emergency Trauma Center
St. Cloud Hospital’s Emergency Trauma Center is the region’s most comprehensive facility of its kind. It is staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians and specially trained nurses who are certified in trauma care and advanced life support. The Trauma Center also has access to medical staff support from all essential specialties.
Why Choose St. Cloud Hospital?
- Designated a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons board-certified emergency medicine physicians, trauma surgeons and specially trained nurses and staff
- 38 private patient rooms, including rooms dedicated to the special needs of children, trauma victims and psychiatric patients
- FAA-approved helipad serviced by Life Link III air ambulance
- Trauma surgical services for general surgery, neurosurgery, oral/maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery
- Offers an extensive array of education and public service
- EmPATH Unit, designed to provide a welcoming and calming setting where a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals can provide assessment, initiate treatment, and begin the healing process.
Parking
Park on the side of the ambulance garage or proceed straight ahead, directly into the south parking ramp. The most direct route is to walk from the ramp, past the ER sidewalk and enter through the ER door where security is located.
Interpreter Services
Free American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, TTYs and other communication devices are available at St. Cloud Hospital to deaf and hard-of-hearing patients and their families when necessary for effective communication. If you need an interpreter while in our Emergency Department, you may request one in advance by calling 320-255-5656.
What to Expect
Upon arrival, a member of our staff will greet you and evaluate your condition. This is known as "triage," and it helps us determine who is in the most urgent need of care. It is important to make sure that the most seriously ill and injured patients be seen first.
Your wait will depend on how ill you are compared to others in the department at that time. During triage, a brief examination, including taking your blood pressure and temperature, takes place. You will be asked to register, which is necessary to record your visit. Then you’ll be asked for your address, health insurance, place of employment and to sign a consent form for your care.
If other patients’ conditions are more serious than yours, you might have a slight wait. Waiting time also may be related to processing time for procedures, such as blood tests and X-rays.
Trauma Services
A committee of the American College of Surgeons designates entire hospitals – not just emergency rooms – as trauma centers. Hospitals must meet rigorous standards in order to be certified.
To be certified as Level II, St. Cloud Hospital had to meet several criteria, including:
- Being the lead trauma facility in the service area, with outreach programs that incorporate smaller hospitals
- Having an emergency room that is staffed 24/7
- Having trauma surgeons available within 15 minutes of patient arrival
