The Methodist Hospitals, Inc.: Emergency Services

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Northlake (219) 886-4710
Southlake (219) 738-5510

Emergency Facilities | Special Services | Trauma Services | Regional Coordination Center (RCC) | Participation in Community Initiatives

Comprehensive facilities meet emergency, trauma and urgent care needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Facilities are equipped with triage, multiple examination areas, trauma areas, private ob/gyn exam rooms, behavioral observation rooms and comfortably furnished waiting areas. Urgent Care services for minor illnesses and injuries are also available. Cardiac, Brain Attack and Trauma Alert Programs allow EMS personnel on the scene to help alert Emergency Services to coordinate clinical staff, notify a physician specialist and surgical teams to expedite emergency care upon arrival to the hospital.

Regional Coordination Center

For over 25 years, the hospital's Regional Coordination Center for Emergency Medical Services has provided training programs for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics over a seven-county area, including continuing education programs for national certification. The Center also actively participates in planning for the management and prevention of disasters countywide.

Fully-equipped facilities and 24-hour, 7 days a week service, combined with physician specialists in Emergency medicine, specialized trauma teams, and nurses skilled and trained to care for emergency patients, means Methodist provides superior service.

Emergency Facilities

Northlake Campus, Gary
Southlake Campus, Merrillville

• 14 private exam rooms at each campus

• Trauma areas

• Private OB/GYN exam rooms

• Behavioral Observation Rooms

• Compassion Rooms

• Comfortable, convenient Waiting Areas

• Patients register in Emergency area

Fast-track For Urgent Care
Specially-trained nurses evaluate the severity of flu, cold, minor illness and injuries to provide for physician medical services which are necessary but not categorized as true medical emergencies.

Domestic Violence Program

Rape Program Working with other community agencies and referral services to extend service beyond emergency medical treatment.

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Trauma Services SINCE 1984

Cardiac and Trauma Alert Programs involve EMS (Emergency Medical Service) staff on the scene, who alert Emergency Services to notify physician specialists, assemble specially-trained clinical staff and surgical teams, who are then ready to speed care as soon as patients arrive at the hospital.

Regional Coordination Center (RCC)

Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Training SINCE 1976
In 1973, Methodist responded to the Gary Fire Department's need for EMS training as they assumed responsibility for ambulance service. The first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class graduated in June 1975.

By 1976, the governor of the State of Indiana designated Methodist as Regional Coordinating Center for a seven-county area serving Northwest Indiana: Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Stark, Jasper, Pulaski, Newton. The RCC is accredited by the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (ISEMA.)

EMS providers in Northwest Indiana have specialized training in Advanced Life Support techniques as a result of the RCC and Methodist staff: Gary Fire Department, Merrillville EMS, Hobart EMS, East Chicago EMS, Portage Fire Department, Portage Township Volunteer Fire Department, Inland Steel Medical Department(east Chicago), Co-Med Transport Service, Prompt Medical Transfer (East Chicago) Tri-Creek.

Methodist provides on-site EMS staff for Gary's riverboat casinos.

Participation in Community Initiatives for Emergency Services SINCE 1976

Mobile Intensive Care System
Support and responsibility for quality assurance and maintenance of advanced life support systems in Lake and Porter counties.

National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)
A network of 850 hospitals agreeing to accept patients in local or regional disaster situations. Hazardous Materials Incidents (HAZ-MAT) program established in 1996 to manage care for victims and providers.

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Program created by Methodist staff to help emergency responders cope with emotional stress obtained in the line of duty.