Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - St. Joseph Campus is a Level IV Trauma Center, OB Emergency Department (OBED) and Primary Stroke Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, backed by cardiovascular, surgical, 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. You are connected to the right follow-up care across Ascension Wisconsin sites of care by our specialists before you leave the ER—including leading heart care and women's health.
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 Wisconsin emergency room.
Emergency care services include:
- 24/7 emergency care
- 24/7 obstetric emergency care
- Experienced emergency care doctors and ER nurses
- Inpatient care, when needed
- On-call specialists, including maternal fetal medicine specialists
- On-site full-service digital imaging (X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound)
- On-site lab
- Primary Stroke Center
- Support services, such as chaplains and social workers
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.
Care right away — 24/7 emergency care
Doctors, nurses and care teams in our ER at Ascension St. Joseph deliver advanced care for life-threatening symptoms and conditions. Call 911 or go directly to an emergency room if you or a family member are experiencing:
- Abdominal pain (moderate to severe)
- Back pain (severe)
- Chest pain
- Coughing up or vomiting blood
- Pregnant and having labor pains
- Severe allergic reactions
- Severe burns
- Shortness of breath
- Severe skin infections or complicated abscesses
- Sudden neurologic changes like weakness, difficulty speaking, numbness, difficulty walking, or loss of consciousness
Advanced 24/7 trauma care
The ER at Ascension St. Joseph is a level IV trauma center, delivering advanced care for severe and life-threatening and traumatic injury with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced surgical care. Multidisciplinary care teams work together to provide comprehensive emergency medical care for trauma such as complex fractures, spine injury, and brain injury. Each trauma center is designated by the state to ensure they are equipped for, and capable of, caring for patients with serious injuries.
Emergency care personalized for pregnant women
At Ascension St. Joseph, we have an OB Emergency Department (OBED) that delivers 24/7 advanced care for pregnancy and gynecologic conditions. Your OBED care team provides emergency care for preterm labor, high blood pressure, severe nausea and complications associated with high-risk pregnancy. The OBED does not replace your primary obstetrician, midwife or family doctor. The OBED provides additional around the clock care for when your baby just can’t wait.
Doctors, nurses and care teams in our OBED at Ascension St. Joseph deliver advanced care for pregnancy and gynecologic conditions. Call 911 or go directly to an emergency room if you or a family member are experiencing:
- Complications associated with high-risk pregnancy
- Decreased fetal movement
- High blood pressure
- Miscarriage
- Preterm labor
- Ruptured membranes
Advanced emergency care for stroke
Ascension St. Joseph 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:
- Dedicated stroke unit
- Diagnostic imaging and assessments
- Doctors and nurses specializing in stroke care
- Regular monitoring to support better outcomes
If you need more advanced stroke care, you are connected to specialists at our Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Advanced burn care
Specialists at Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Regional Burn Center provide advanced critical care, comprehensive burn treatment and connection to reconstructive surgery. Emergency and outpatient care for adults and children includes care for burns caused by fire, frostbite and inhalation injury.
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.
