The Emergency Department at Norton King’s Daughters’ Health cares for more than 15,000 patients each year. Our goal is to treat every patient as a unique individual. Care in the emergency department is designed for patients who are experiencing medical emergencies, including life-threatening conditions and injuries. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or report to Norton KDH or your nearest emergency department.

Medical emergencies require a quick response and a highly trained staff. Norton KDH provides emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, accessing advanced diagnostic tests, high-resolution imagery and a fully staffed laboratory. If needed in certain critical, life-saving situations, helicopter transport is available from our campus.

When to seek Emergency Room Care

When facing a life-threatening medical emergency or a condition that could result in permanent disability, ER care is appropriate. Below are symptoms/situations that would prompt an ER visit:

• An allergic reaction when it’s hard to breathe
• Heart attack
• Heavy bleeding
• Loss of consciousness
• Poisoning or suspected poisoning
• Seizures
• Severe abdominal pain
• Severe burns
• Severe chest pain or sudden/extreme difficulty breathing
• Severe head trauma
• Stroke, sudden paralysis or slurred speech
• Visibly broken bones

In non-emergency situations, you may receive more prompt and cost-efficient care by visiting your primary care provider or our Convenient Care Center.

When to see your Primary Care Provider or Convenient Care

• Abdominal pain or stomach aches
• Allergic reactions without breathing issues
• Common cold or flu symptoms
• Cuts, scrapes, bites
• Earaches
• Fractures
• Headaches
• Minor burns
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Sports physicals
• Sprains or strains
• Strep or sore throat
• Upper respiratory infections
• Urinary tract infections

Unless you have a high fever or your condition worsens to become a medical emergency, your primary care provider or the Convenient Care Center can provide effective, cost-efficient care.

Contact Person and Visiting Hours

If capable, the patient will determine who the contact person will be for the patient. If the patient is unable to decide on a contact person, then the patient’s Power of Attorney (POA) will be the contact person. If the patient does not have a POA, the person who signed in the patient will be the contact person. This contact person will be the person updated on the patient’s condition by staff. Other visitors will need to obtain information from the contact person.

• Two (2) visitors/support persons may be in the room at one time. The visitors/support persons may change with approval of the ED staff.
• Two (2) visitors/support persons will be allowed with a pediatric (minor) patient.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) offers a three-tiered response system to provide both basic and advanced life support. Each ambulance is staffed with a team of EMS professionals, all of whom are certified by the State of Indiana. A paramedic also responds to calls needing additional support. EMS team members at Norton King’s Daughters’ Health are experienced in on-site rescue, providing the critical first link to medical care. EMTs stay in constant communication with physicians in the Emergency Department. During special events, we provide an EMS Bike Team, allowing EMTs to reach the scene much faster, as large crowds often slow the arrival of an ambulance.