Emergency Care in New Jersey
When To Call 911, Your Doctor, or The Hospital
When an emergency threatens a person’s life, limbs or sense organs – such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems, broken bones, head and neck injuries, cuts with severe bleeding, and eye injuries – call 911 immediately.Be prepared to provide the condition of the person experiencing the medical emergency, and location of the person for the ambulance staff to arrive.
It is important to have a list of medications being taken by the patient, if possible, to assist the first responders in assessing the medical situation.
Conditions We Treat
- Life-Threatening Emergencies: stroke and heart attack
- Common Injuries: Broken bones and burns
- Sudden Illness: Severe pain or high fever
The following are warning signs which may indicate a medical emergency:
- Any sudden or severe pain
- Changes in vision
- Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
- Confusion or changes in mental status
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Difficulty speaking
- Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Suicidal thoughts or feelings
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Unusual abdominal pain
Why Choose Hackensack Meridian Health For Emergency Care
When every second counts, trust the team with the expertise, technology, and compassion to provide the best possible care. Hackensack Meridian Health is the region's leader in emergency medicine. We combine clinical expertise with a commitment to your well-being, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care when you need it most.
Here’s why patients trust us in an emergency:
Board-Certified Emergency Specialists
Your care is always led by board-certified emergency physicians and a team of highly trained nurses and clinicians specializing in rapid diagnosis and treatment. Our teams have the experience to handle everything from minor injuries to the most complex medical crises.
Advanced, Accredited Specialty Care
Many of our hospitals are designated as Level I or II Trauma Centers, Comprehensive Stroke Centers, and accredited Chest Pain Centers. This means we have the proven expertise, advanced technology, and established protocols to provide immediate, life-saving intervention for heart attacks, strokes, and severe trauma.
Dedicated Pediatric Emergency Care
We understand that emergencies are especially stressful for children and parents. Our dedicated pediatric emergency departments provide a comforting, child-friendly environment and are staffed by specialists trained in the unique medical and emotional needs of pediatric patients.
Seamless Connection to a Network of Experts
If you need to be admitted, your care is coordinated with New Jersey's top specialists across the entire Hackensack Meridian Health network. This ensures you receive the right follow-up care without delay, from cardiology to neurosurgery and beyond.
State-of-the-Art Diagnostic Technology
Our emergency centers have advanced diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI, X-ray) and lab services on-site, 24/7. This allows our teams to make fast, accurate diagnoses, which is critical for developing the most effective treatment plan.
Resources For Public Safety Professionals
Frequently Asked Questions
You should call 911 immediately for any life-threatening emergency, such as signs of a heart attack (chest pain), signs of a stroke (sudden weakness or trouble speaking), severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, or major trauma. For less severe emergencies where you can travel safely, you can go directly to the nearest emergency room.
Emergency rooms are equipped to handle severe, complex, and life-threatening conditions 24/7. You should go to the ER for issues like chest pain, severe injuries, or stroke symptoms.
Urgent Care centers are for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries that need prompt attention but are not severe enough for an ER visit, such as colds, flu, minor sprains, or rashes.
Yes. Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital have dedicated Pediatric Emergency Departments. These are designed with a child-friendly environment and are staffed by board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians and nurses who specialize in caring for the unique medical and emotional needs of children.
Hackensack Meridian Health has emergency rooms across New Jersey — from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Sussex and Union counties in the north to Middlesex, Monmouth, Burlington and Ocean counties in the central and south. Find a location now.
