Any member of your family, when facing medical emergencies, can get complete diagnostic, treatment and surgical services at Edinburg Family Emergency Center. The Edinburg Family Emergency Center is for anyone who has a minor injury, difficulty breathing, a heart attack, head trauma, a bone fracture, abdominal pain or other serious medical problems.

"We use a family-centered approach to care," says Fayez Nahhas, MD, an Edinburg Family Emergency Center emergency physician. "We can provide patients of all ages -- from infants to older adults -- with most of the emergency diagnostic and treatment services they need on site."

The Edinburg Family Emergency Center is open 24 hours a day to perform tests -- including computed tomography (CT) scans, ultrasound studies, X-rays and lab work -- to help diagnose patients' conditions. Family Emergency Center physicians can handle emergency situations. Surgeons and other specialists are on call to care for patients who have more complex needs.

Doctors in the Family Emergency Center may admit patients who need inpatient care to Edinburg Children's Hospital or Edinburg Regional Medical Center. Patients requiring highly specialized care may be transferred to one of our other facilities such as McAllen Medical Center or McAllen Heart Hospital.

"We provide patients with high-quality care in a family-friendly environment," says Martha Sustaita, RN, Family Emergency Center Director. "Patient comfort is also a priority. We have toys to entertain and distract kids in the waiting areas and TVs in all Family Emergency Center rooms."

To learn more about the services available at the Edinburg Family Emergency Center, please visit our Web site at www.edinburgchildrenshospital.com.

What to Expect in the ER
Emergency rooms (ERs) in the United States treat more than 110 million patients every year, so there's a good chance you'll see the inside of one at some time in your life.

You can receive the care you need whenever you visit a South Texas Health System ER. But here's something to keep in mind: An ER isn't like a restaurant or grocery store. It doesn't serve people in the order in which they arrive. Instead, ERs triage patients and treat the most seriously injured or ill patients first.

While waiting is sometimes inevitable, these tips can help expedite your care when an emergency strikes:

• Bring along an ID card and your insurance information. If you're a member of one of our Advantage Programs, bring that ID card with you as well.
• Have a list of all the medications you take, how much you take and how often you take them. Include prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal remedies.
• Develop a brief outline of your medical history. List allergies, your immunization record, and any chronic conditions, major medical events or surgeries you've had.
• Bring something along to keep you or your children occupied in case you have to wait for care.