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Emergency & Trauma Care

ER sign in Hillcrest emergency department

An accident or injury can happen at any time — and can become a medical emergency. At UC San Diego Health, we are always prepared to help you and your family in your time of need.

Count on our experienced professionals to treat you and your family with respect and compassion. We are committed to providing high-quality care to help you in your journey to recovery.

Emergency Services

24/7 Emergency Help

Call 911 if you have a life-threatening injury or illness. Or go to the nearest ER.

If you’re experiencing a major, life-threatening injury or severe health condition, you can go to our emergency departments in Hillcrest or La Jolla.

Our outstanding emergency medicine team is always prepared 24/7 to care for you and your loved ones.

Trauma Care

UC San Diego Medical Center, our Hillcrest hospital, has a Level 1 Trauma Center, which provides comprehensive care for injuries for patients with life-threatening injuries.

Our highly specialized surgeons and other trained health professionals use advanced equipment to treat critical injuries resulting from drowning, falls, fires, gunshot wounds, serious car crashes, violence and other traumatic incidents.

Injury Prevention Programs

Traumatic injuries can lead to disability or death. But many injuries can be prevented or avoided with a few safety precautions.

Our Trauma Prevention and Outreach Program is dedicated to preventing and reducing injuries through education, research, outreach and the strength of community partnerships. Our injury prevention programs include fall prevention, driver and pedestrian safety, gun safety and burn prevention.

Poison Control

Toxicology / Poison Control — 24/7 Help

  • Dial 911 for emergencies.
  • Or call 800-222-1222, California Poison Control Center’s free hotline.

Poisoning can cause short-term problems as well as permanent, even life-threatening complications. If you’re exposed to poisonous, hazardous or toxic substances, sometimes it can be treated at home by following directions from a poison control center. At other times, you may need emergency medical care.

The California Poison Control System (CPCS) is the statewide provider of immediate, free and expert treatment advice and assistance over the telephone. Its San Diego division is housed at UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest.

Our trained and experienced health care professionals can provide emergency information on:

  • Animal, insect, snake and spider bites
  • Attempted suicides or drug overdoses
  • Drug reactions
  • Eye or skin irritation from toxic substances
  • Food or mushroom poisoning
  • Inhalation of noxious fumes or vapors
  • Pet poisoning exposures
  • Swallowing poison