Whether you have a life-threatening emergency or need immediate care for a broken bone or another urgent health problem, you can trust MU Health Care’s expert emergency care team.
With emergency rooms in Jefferson City and Columbia, including the only Level I Trauma Center in central Missouri, we’re able to handle the most serious illnesses and injuries, including burns. From diagnosis to treatment and follow-up care, you can be confident you’re getting the highest-quality emergency care when you need it most.
When You Arrive, We're Ready
When you or a loved one has a life-threatening emergency, we understand you want to see someone right away — that’s why we use a streamlined process we call FastER to reduce your wait time and make your visit as fast and smooth as possible. Our process at all our ER locations is designed to deliver the best care in the least amount of time. Here’s how:
- You see a nurse first. When you arrive, you'll see a triage nurse first. The nurse will ask you questions about your health problem and take your vital signs (heart and breathing rate, blood pressure and temperature). Doing this will help us decide how quickly you’re seen — the most serious injuries are seen first.
- We "fast track" service. During busier periods, we'll come to you in the waiting room to speed up service. A nurse will give you medicine if you need it and set up X-rays or lab tests to get your care started right away.
- We get you in and out quickly. If you don't need complex care, we want to make your visit as fast as we can. We'll take care of X-rays, prescriptions and other needs quickly. Our goal is to get you what you need in under an hour.
Mid-Missouri's Emergency Care Leader
We have the only board-certified team of ER doctors in central Missouri, which means years of extra training to quickly and accurately diagnose life-threatening injuries.
In critical moments outside the hospital, they are supported by a team of emergency care experts, including emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Our emergency care team operates our Children’s Hospital critical care transport team, an ambulance service and a helicopter service to provide emergency transport throughout mid-Missouri and beyond.
EMTs have access to the latest technology in all transport vehicles so they can begin lifesaving treatment as quickly as possible. This includes everything from diagnostic equipment to therapies that stabilize time-sensitive conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
In fact, University Hospital has been designated as a Level 1 Trauma Center, a Level 1 STEMI Center for heart attacks and a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and Capital Region Medical Center holds accreditation from the state’s Joint Commission as a Primary Heart Attack Center and Advanced Primary Stroke Center.
By working closely with first responders, our emergency care team makes sure you get the treatments you need as quickly as possible — even before you come through our doors.
Specialized Emergency Care for Kids
MU Health Care’s Children’s ER in Columbia is the region’s first and only ER designed to take care of the emergency needs of children. We know children are more than just little adults, and we believe your family deserves expert care tailored to kids when your child has an emergency.
Our Children’s ER has its own dedicated parking spaces and waiting room for your kid-friendly experience to begin right away. Your child will be seen by dedicated pediatric emergency staff who specialize in taking the "ouch" out of a visit to the ER in a space designed entirely for kids.
Learn more about our emergency care for kids.
Pregnancy Emergencies
If you experience an emergency while pregnant, MU Health Care offers two options for care, depending on your gestational age and emergency.
- 20+ weeks with a pregnancy-related emergency: OB triage services are part of our Birthing Centers, and provide 24/7 emergency assessment and care for patients with pregnancy-related concerns.
- Less than 20 weeks: Our emergency rooms can care for patients under 20 weeks pregnant with a pregnancy-related concern, as well as any pregnant woman experiencing a non-pregnancy-related emergency.
Do I Need the ER?
Emergency rooms offer the highest level of care in life-threatening situations. If you’re unsure where to go, learn more about our various levels of care.
