Emergency Department

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center's Emergency Department is equipped and staffed to respond to all emergencies on a 24-hour basis.  A licensed physician is on-duty at all times along with nursing and ancillary staff who have specialized training in cardiac, medical, pediatric and trauma emergencies.

30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge

What exactly is the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge?
When patients enter the Emergency Department at Mat-Su Regional, the time of their arrival is noted. Our pledge is that a physician will initially see them within 30 minutes of their arrival.

When do the 30 minutes officially start?
The 30 minutes start when the patient checks in with our staff at the Emergency Room desk.

Does the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge affect how patients are prioritized?
While the goal is to initially see every patient within 30 minutes, the most severe cases will always receive immediate attention.

How is the timeframe of patients’ visits documented for this pledge?
When a patient arrives and checks in, the time of arrival is noted. When the physician initially sees the patient, the time is documented by the Emergency Department staff.

What was the average time a patient waited before?
We have been tracking patient wait times for the last year in preparation for the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge. Our wait times have consistently averaged less than 30 minutes.

Does this mean patients will be on their way home in 30 minutes or less?
No. We will work hard to have a physician initially see our patients and begin their evaluation and treatment within 30 minutes. Depending on the nature of their illness or injury, the duration of each visit will vary.

Is a 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge really necessary for an emergency room?
In many emergency rooms across the country, wait times have been increasing. We want to assure our patients that we are dedicated to not only offering quality care but also providing that care as efficiently as possible.

How can the Emergency Department maintain quality care if speed is the priority?
It is not our objective now, nor will it ever be, to ”rush” patients through the Emergency Department. Our process improvements have been focused on getting patients into a room as quickly as possible and enabling our physician to initially see a patient and begin their diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.

* Disclaimer
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

The Emergency Department (ED) average wait time is provided as an informational service to the public. It is approximate, and based on a rolling two hour average that is updated four times an hour and does not represent the actual current activity in the ER waiting room.

The ED wait time represents the time it takes from arrival until a patient is initially seen by a Physician. Patients are triaged upon their arrival in the ED. They are then seen by a Clinical Professional in an order based on their complaint, condition, and the reason for their visit.

While many patients are initially seen by a clinical professional within 30 minutes of their arrival, during some peak times when the number of patients and/or trauma situations exceeds the number of providers or beds, some patients are not initially seen within 30 minutes of their noted arrival.

Should you have any additional questions about our 30-Minute Pledge, please ask any of our Emergency Department staff.

For more information about the Emergency Department call 575-546-5800.

Emergency Services

24-hour Emergency Department

The Emergency Department at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is full service and staffed 24-hours a day by board-certified/eligible emergency physicians. All nurses are certified in both Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Some carry additional certifications in emergency nursing and trauma care.

The Emergency Department (ED) is a 22-bed unit with specialized beds designated for trauma, cardiac, pediatric, orthopedic, gynecologic, and opthalmologic use. Mat-Su Regional ED has immediate access to complete laboratory, imaging, cardiac catheterization and surgical services. Intensive care, inpatient, and observation units are available.

Air Ambulance services provide assistance with transports for emergency patients within our 23,000 square mile service area. In addition, a heated and enclosed ambulance bay offers protection for patients from the elements.

The department is available anytime for any emergency healthcare need. For ambulance transport to the Mat-Su Regional Emergency Department, call 911.

Contact Information
24-Hour Emergency Department
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center
2500 S. Woodworth Loop, Palmer
907-861-6620

In an emergency, dial 911.

Fast-track Emergency Department

Traditionally, in an Emergency Department environment, patients with serious injuries and conditions are seen first, while those with minor injuries or illnesses often must wait. Now, at Mat-Su Regional, patients with minor conditions are separated from those with more serious situations. Upon patients' arrival, the triage nurse determines whether they meet the criteria for urgent or emergent care. Patients with less critical needs will be treated faster in an environment similar to a physician's office. This allows the Emergency Department staff to focus on those who actually need emergency care.

Contact Information
Fast Track Emergency Department
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center
2500 S. Woodworth Loop, Palmer
907-861-6620

Help and Support Services

Patient Rights Information
Click here to download Mat-Su Regional's Patient Rights Policy.

Social Services
Click here to access Mat-Su Regional's social services web page.

Food Service
Click here to access Mat-Su Regional's food service program information.

Health Resources

Potential Emergency Situations and Conditions

Discharge Callback
Mat-Su Regional takes pride in following up with our patients. Witin 7 days of discharge, our Discharge Call Back Nurse will be in touch with you to ensure that you are scheduling your necessary follow-up appointments, and addressing any questions that may arise in regards to your healing process. If you have any questions for her after discharge, the phone number is 861-6909.