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Emergency care

Emergency care is the treatment of unexpected, severe medical injuries or infections. It is typically delivered in an emergency room or an ambulance. Our emergency medicine physicians stabilize your condition as quickly as possible to prepare you for the next step of care or discharge.

Emergency room (ER) in Lake City

When you need immediate care, our emergency medicine team is here for you.

At HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, we offer emergency services for all ages. The doctors and nurses in our ER are dedicated to providing high-quality emergency care 24/7.

Expert advice, available 24/7

Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.

Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.

Emergency care services

We provide personalized services throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Heart attack treatment

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart becomes blocked, requiring immediate care to restore circulation and prevent damage to the heart muscle. At our hospital, our cardiac care and ER staff collaborate to provide lifesaving heart attack care.

Additionally, we are an Accredited Chest Pain Center designated by the American College of Cardiology because of our focused, effective care for acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Stroke treatment

A stroke is a medical emergency caused by interrupted blood flow within the brain. Emergency treatment is critical to locate the blockage and restore blood flow.

Our emergency physicians deliver compassionate stroke treatment. We are recognized as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission because we are dedicated to providing high-quality stroke care and following clinical best practices.

Express care services

In addition to our main ER, we offer an express care unit to treat minor illnesses and injuries. Unless you have a serious condition that requires immediate attention, you will be seen in the order of arrival.

Frequently asked questions

To best help you, we have consolidated a list of answers to common questions we receive about our emergency care.

When should I visit the ER?

We understand it can be difficult to know whether you should go to the ER or wait for your doctor's office to open. However, we want you to feel secure about your choice for care.

There are a wide range of symptoms that may indicate you need to visit the emergency room, including:

  • Back pain
  • Broken bones
  • Chest pain
  • Concussion
  • Flu
  • Side pain
  • Stomach pain
  • Trouble breathing

If you are unsure if your symptoms require an ER visit, you can speak to a nurse 24/7 by calling our Consult-A-Nurse® team at (844) 706-8773.


What should I expect at the ER?

When you get to the ER, one of our triage nurses will medically screen, evaluate and stabilize you to assess your symptoms and vital signs. Next, a registration clerk will collect your insurance card (if available) and other information.

If you have a severe, life-threatening illness or injury, you will be treated first. Otherwise, you will be treated in the order you arrive.

Before discharge, we encourage you to ask our emergency care teams any questions you have. It is also useful for you to keep all of your paperwork, discharge information and medicines or prescriptions together after you leave the emergency room.

After discharge, our emergency department staff will reach out to your primary care provider to ensure they are updated on your care.


What should I bring to the ER?

When coming to the ER, we recommend you bring:

  • A list of known allergies
  • A list of medicines you currently take
  • A responsible adult or phone number for someone to contact
  • Copies of results from recent medical tests, if available
  • Personal care preferences and restrictions

How do I stay updated on wait times in the ER?

When it comes to emergency services, our goal is to continually work toward enhancing the care you receive, while reducing our wait times. This ensures you get the support you need, when you need it most.

Our wait times are updated every 30 minutes and are available on our website.

To find out the wait times of the HCA Florida ER nearest to you, check the top of our website or text "ER" to 32222.

Note: Message and data rates may apply. ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only.


Looking for another location?

We also offer quality care at these other locations in our extended network.

Our Emergency care Locations

Currently Viewing:

Lake City Hospital
340 NW Commerce Dr
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 719 - 9000

Currently Viewing:

Lake City Hospital
340 NW Commerce Dr
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 719 - 9000
Suwannee Emergency
1100 11th St SW
Live Oak, FL 32064
(386) 339 - 6200

20.3 miles

Millhopper Emergency
4388 NW 53rd Ave
Gainesville, FL 32653
(352) 271 - 4000

37.6 miles

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