Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago Emergency Room

Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago Emergency Room in Chicago, IL is a Primary Stroke Center backed by cardiovascular, surgical, transplant, neuro, stroke, orthopedic, and trauma specialists. We provide 24/7 care for life-threatening and severe illness and injury—including heart attack, stroke, concussion, broken bones, and more. Experienced ER care teams listen to quickly understand your needs to deliver the right care for you and your family. And you are connected to the right follow-up care across Ascension Illinois sites of care by our specialists before you leave the ER—including leading cancer, heart and behavioral health care.

Seconds count in stroke, heart and burn recovery, seek emergency care immediately. You can tell your family, friends and EMS to take you to your nearest Ascension Illinois emergency room.

Emergency room wait times vary based on the number of patients and the severity of their conditions. Patients are seen according to medical need, so someone who arrives after you may be treated first. Our teams work to provide care as quickly as possible. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 rather than waiting or driving yourself.

Our emergency care services include:

• 24/7 emergency care 
• Primary Stroke Center care
• Board-certified emergency care doctors, ER nurses and on-call specialists
• Private treatment rooms
• On-site X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound and other imaging services
• On-site laboratory services
• Admission when needed to the hospital
• Connections to follow-up care across Ascension Illinois

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or dial 911. Signs or symptoms of an acute emergency may include shortness of breath, chest pain, open fracture, fainting, severe bleeding, head injury or other major trauma, one-sided weakness or numbness, loss of consciousness or fainting, severe abdominal pain, or bites or stings.

5-Star Emergency Care, Right Here in Chicago

Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago's ER has been recognized in the Top 10% nationally for Overall Quality of Care in PRC's 2024 rankings.

When to go to the ER

Call 911 or go directly to an emergency room for symptoms such as:

• Abdominal pain (moderate to severe)
• Back pain (severe)
• Chest pain
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Major trauma
• Pregnant and having labor pains
• Severe allergic reactions
• Severe burns 
• Severe skin infections or complicated abscesses
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden neurologic changes like weakness, difficulty speaking, numbness, difficulty walking, or loss of consciousness
• Severe bleeding

24/7 emergency care for children

At Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago Emergency Room and at every Ascension Illinois hospital, doctors and care teams provide pediatric emergency care for children 24/7.

Call 911 or go directly to an emergency room if your child is experiencing severe illness or injury, including:

• Animal bites
• Blue face and lips or pale coloring
• Chest pain
• High fever
• Major injury or broken bone
• Seizure
• Severe allergic reaction
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Trouble breathing
• Other serious illness or injury

Advanced emergency care for stroke

Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, a national healthcare accreditation organization. Primary Stroke Centers deliver individualized care for ischemic strokes, also known as blood vessel blockages. Your stroke care includes:

• A dedicated stroke unit
• Diagnostic imaging and assessments
• Doctors and nurses specializing in stroke care
• Regular monitoring and individualized treatment

If you need more advanced stroke care, you are connected to our Comprehensive Stroke Center at Ascension Alexian Brothers.

Connected to specialized follow-up care

Your care doesn’t stop when you leave the ER. We help connect you to leading specialists and follow-up care to support your care plan and recovery. Your care team also helps you manage your medications and sends prescriptions to your local pharmacy or through Ascension Rx. And you will always have access to our other services, like imaging and lab.

Your care does not stop when you leave the ER. Your care team can help connect you with specialists and follow-up services across Ascension Illinois, including imaging, laboratory services, heart care, cancer care and behavioral health care.

We can also help you manage medications and send prescriptions to your local pharmacy or through Ascension Rx.