Emergency, Trauma & Urgent Care - Level III trauma center

Southeast Missouri’s Only Level III Emergency and Trauma Center

The Emergency and Trauma Center at Saint Francis Medical Center is the only state-designated Level III trauma center in southeast Missouri, caring for nearly 38,000 patients annually. The Center was formally named the Gene E. Huckstep Emergency/Trauma Center in recognition of a long-term chairman of our board of directors.

To earn the designation of Level III Trauma Center by the state of Missouri, Saint Francis passed a rigorous comprehensive quality assessment and demonstrated the ability to provide:

24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians
Prompt availability of general surgeons and anesthesiologists
Transfer agreements for patients requiring more comprehensive care at a Level I or Level II Trauma Center
Continuing education for trauma center nurses and personnel

Our emergency and trauma center is a state-of-the-art facility with 32 patient rooms, including:

26 private treatment rooms with direct access to bathrooms
3 trauma rooms
2 triage rooms
1 special procedures room
Specially designated children’s exam areas and equipment specifically tailored to treat children of all ages
Senior-friendly accommodations such as, thicker mattresses, higher chairs, large-print forms, guardrails and nonskid flooring to enhance comfort and encourage a speedy return to the highest quality of life

Southeast Missouri’s Largest Emergency Medical Services Team

With nearly 30 hospital-based emergency medicine professionals, our Level III Emergency and Trauma Center has the largest emergency medical services team in southeast Missouri. Our highly-experienced nursing staff is specially trained in advanced cardiac life support, trauma and pediatrics in order to support Saint Francis’ physicians around the clock.

Trauma Services

Our Level III Emergency and Trauma Center provides critical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Saint Francis trauma surgeons provide treatment for life-threatening injuries sustained from falls and motor vehicle accidents. They lead the team that evaluates, resuscitates, stabilizes, and operates on these patients while working closely with the team of emergency physicians.

Common Illnesses and Injuries Treated by Saint Francis Emergency Services Physicians:

Abdominal pain
Acute upper respiratory infections
Allergic drug reaction
Asthma
Back pain
Breathing difficulty
Broken bones
Choking
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Contusions
Fainting
Falls
Gaping wounds
Heart attacks and chest pain
High fever
Human and some animal bites
Severe cuts
Stroke
Sudden severe pain and swelling in a joint
Surgery complication
Swallowing poison

Emergency Air Transportation Services

When time is of the essence, Saint Francis Medical Center has immediate access to regional aeromedical services that respond to life-threatening injuries and medical conditions. Area Rescue Consortium of Hospitals (ARCH) Air Medical Services and Air Evac Lifeteam provides emergency air transportation throughout our southeast Missouri and surrounding states. Aircraft land on one of two heliports at our Level III Trauma Center.

Urgent Care

Urgent care physicians treat a host of non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that need immediate attention. Physicians routinely care for patients with the conditions listed below, as well as numerous other medical needs commonly treated by primary care physicians:

Ear infections
Sore or strep throat
Bronchitis
Colds or flu
Upset stomach
Vomiting or diarrhea
Cuts or lacerations
Hives or rashes
Bruises or sprains

Saint Francis Medical Center offers easily accessible walk-in urgent care facilities, open with extended hours during the week and on weekends. Appointments are never needed!

Cape Girardeau

Saint Francis Clinic Kingshighway
Offers complete family medical care and occupational services, including:

Diagnostic services: Lab, X-ray and EKG
Occupational medicine services: DOT physicals, urine drug screen, breath alcohol testing, pulmonary function testing and treatment of employee injury

Virtual Urgent Care

Saint Francis Healthcare System offers convenient, virtual urgent care services for many health conditions. You can speak to a provider through a secure, interactive video visit on your smartphone, tablet or computer seven days a week. This service is for adults and children ages two and older. Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by their guardian.

Providers can diagnose, offer treatment and prescribe medication, if medically necessary, for many health conditions, including: