Emergency Care

Any time of day or night, you have access to lifesaving emergency care at AnMed’s two hospitals in South Carolina: AnMed Medical Center in Anderson and AnMed Cannon in Pickens.  Count on our emergency medicine providers and wide range of specialists for the timely response, respect and compassion you deserve.

Emergency Care - Ambulances

When to Go to the ER

  • Seek emergency care immediately if you or someone else experiences:
  • Asthma attack or trouble breathing
  • Broken bones
  • Burns 
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Confusion 
  • Coughing or vomiting blood
  • Heavy or uncontrollable bleeding
  • Pregnancy-related urgent concerns 
  • Seizures
  • Stomach pain or pressure
  • Sudden, severe pain
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Vision changes

Any of these symptoms could be signs of a serious medical condition.

Call 911

Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room right away if you or someone else has a medical emergency.

Chest Pain and Heart Attack Symptoms

Receive prompt care for heart attack symptoms at AnMed, whose medical center in Anderson has an accredited Chest Pain Center. If you need an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heartbeat, you should expect the test within a few minutes of arrival. And because our average time to treatment is much less than the national standard of 90 minutes, you’ll have the best chance of a good outcome.
 

Stroke Response

Protect the health of your brain with emergency treatment from AnMed Medical Center—a certified Primary Stroke Center with the expertise and staff to give you the best possible care. 

When you arrive with stroke symptoms, you’ll likely receive computed tomography (CT) testing to see inside your arteries. If we find a clot blocking blood flow to your brain, we may:
•    Give you medicine to dissolve the clot 
•    Transfer you to a nearby hospital for a procedure to treat your stroke 

Learn more about stroke care at AnMed.

Traumatic Injuries

After a serious injury, expect timely treatment from surgeons on call 24/7 at AnMed Medical Center’s Level III Trauma Center. If you need round-the-clock monitoring during recovery, you’ll receive it in the critical care unit.
 

Behavioral Health Emergencies 

If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, please seek care at AnMed Medical Center Emergency Department or your closest Emergency Department. At AnMed, our Crisis Response Team of nurses, social workers, and on-call psychiatrists can help stabilize adults and children and make referrals for further care at our Behavioral Health Center or another location.
 

What to Bring to the Hospital 

You can help us provide timely, effective care when you arrive with:

  • Driver’s license or state-issued ID
  • Health insurance card
  • Bottles of medications you take or a list of medications (pdf) and their doses. Emergency Department staff often don’t have access to your health record with this information.

What to Expect

If you come to the ER by ambulance, you’ll go to either:

  • Triage nurse, who will assess your condition 
  • Patient care area if your condition is severe

If you arrive by car, you’ll see the triage nurse for an evaluation. 

Wait Times

Your wait time in the ER depends on factors such as:

  • Severity of your condition
  • Severity of other patients’ symptoms 
  • Number of other patients 

We see patients with life-threatening emergencies first. As new patients arrive, your wait time may change, depending on their condition. Know that your visit is important to us, and you can rely on our team for the care you need. 

Fast-Track Area in Anderson for Minor Concerns

If the triage nurse determines you’re not having a medical emergency, you may see a provider who cares only for patients with less-serious illnesses and injuries. Available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., this fast-track service lets you get treatment sooner at AnMed Medical Center.

Seeing a Doctor

In an exam room, a nurse and doctor or advanced practice provider will perform a thorough review of your health. We’ll determine if you need more tests, such as imaging services, blood work or urine analysis. 

Depending on your condition, you could then:

  • Go home with personalized discharge and follow-up instructions 
  • {{INSERT LINK--Be admitted to the hospital}} for care and monitoring
  • Be transferred to another area hospital 

Visitor Guidelines

You may have one family member or visitor at a time in the emergency room. During certain exams or treatments, your visitors may need to stay in the waiting area. If that happens, we’ll update them on your care. 

Walk-In Care for Minor Conditions

Learn about CareConnect—a quicker, more affordable alternative to the emergency room for health conditions that aren’t life threatening. No appointment needed. 

Explore CareConnect