Emergency Departments
When every minute counts, rely on UC San Diego Health for 24/7 emergency medical care.
Using the latest technology and effective treatments, we’re here for you when you need us. We’ll stabilize your symptoms and treat your condition efficiently. Our hospitals — in La Jolla, Hillcrest and College Area — feature:
- Emergency medicine physicians who are trained in one or more specialties
- Full-time attending physicians who are present 24 hours a day
- Experienced nurses and other support staff, including those specializing in senior care
Our Hillcrest ER also has a Level 1 Trauma Care Center for critical or life-threatening injuries.
Emergency Services
Call 911 if you have a life-threatening injury or illness. Or go to the nearest ER for 24/7 emergency help.
Emergency Locations are Open 24 Hours
Patient Experience Rating
This is a summary of each location’s ratings within Emergency Services.
When to Go to ER, Urgent Care or Express Care
Emergency services: Our emergency rooms provide advanced care for people with major, life-threatening injuries or severe health conditions that require immediate attention. This includes broken bones, heart attacks, seizures, severe burns, strokes, poisoning, traumatic injuries and mental health emergencies. Our ERs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for individuals of all ages.
Express Care or Urgent Care: If you have urgent health concerns that are not life-threatening or if you need treatment for relatively minor conditions, our Urgent Care or Express Care clinics are convenient alternatives to the emergency room. Compared to an ER visit, our same-day care options are less costly and have shorter wait times. These locations are open every day.
Learn more about where you can go, based on your age, symptoms and condition.
Symptoms and Conditions Treated in Patients of All Ages
- Chest pain
- Compound fracture
- Deep wound that needs stitches
- Disorientation and inability to speak
- Gunshot or knife wound
- High fever (including in newborn baby)
- Loss of consciousness
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- Paralysis
- Persistent bleeding
- Poisoning
- Rapid testicular inflammation and pain
- Seizure
- Severe burn
- Severe heart palpitations
- Severe injuries, including those to the head or eyes
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden and severe head pain
- Vision loss
Traumatic Injuries
Trauma injuries that are life-threatening, such as a motor vehicle collision or gunshot wound, are treated in our Level 1 Trauma Center in Hillcrest.
Comprehensive Emergency Services
Specialty Care
Our emergency departments provide comprehensive emergency care, including in specialties such as burn care, diving and undersea medicine, geriatric emergency services, heart care, neonatal intensive care (in NICUs), poison control and toxicology help, psychiatric care, stroke care and trauma care.
Care for Older Adults
For many older adults, a trip to the emergency room can be daunting. That is why the geriatric ERs in our hospitals offer specialized care with expert teams to better serve the specific needs of seniors. From admission to discharge and beyond, we provide a superior quality of emergency care to help reduce hospital visits and readmissions for patients ages 65 and up.
Paying for Emergency Care
All ER patients receive a physical examination by a doctor prior to any contact with your insurer or primary care physician. This ensures you will receive the most appropriate care regardless of your ability to pay or the decision of your health plan concerning payments.
You may receive separate bills for different parts of your emergency room visit. If you have questions, please visit Insurance & Billing or call:
- For bills from UC San Diego Emergency Physician's Group, call 866-679-7477.
- For bills from UC San Diego Health, call 855-827-3633.
Other Same-Day Care Options
If you need same-day care for a non-emergency illness or injury and can't see your primary care provider, save your spot online to get care at an Express Care or Urgent Care clinic.