When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
At Palos Community Hospital, we are skilled in treating all types of emergencies. You should go to the Emergency Department if you feel you have any condition that requires immediate medical attention, including:
- Sudden and/or Severe Pain
- Chest Pain or Pressure
- Seizures
- Severe Abdominal Pain
- Fainting
- Difficulty Breathing
- Severe Bleeding
- Sudden Dizziness, Weakness or Change in Vision
- Confusion or Loss of Consciousness
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- Severe or Persistent Vomiting
- Weakness on One Side of the Body
- Head Trauma
- Medication Overdose
- Serious Extremity Injuries
- Sudden, Severe Pain Anywhere in the Body
- Coughing or Vomiting Blood
- Suspected Poisoning.
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Decisions Governing Medical Treatment
In emergency situations, it's important that Palos Community Hospital's Emergency Medical team know your wishes concerning treatment. An Advance Directive is a legal document, either a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, by which adult patients can provide instructions concerning their medical treatment in the event they do not have the ability to do so.
Palos Community Hospital will respect your Advance Directive as long as it can be managed by available health professionals associated with the hospital and as long as it does not violate any laws or the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Facilities.
If you have a Living Will or a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, you should present a copy during your admission to the ED. If you do not have an Advance Directive and wish to formulate one, call Palos Social Services at (708) 923-4840.
For more information about Advance Directives, or to download forms for a Living Will or a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health Web site.
The Palos Community Hospital Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you and your family in the event of an emergency.
