Emergency Services

The Reading Hospital and Medical Center's Emergency Department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Within the unit, we treat patients requiring emergent and urgent care. We are prepared to deal with life threatening injuries like those resulting from major motor vehicle accidents, falls, serious lacerations, as well as other emergency events such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or abdominal pain. Board-certified emergency care unit physicians, emergency nurses trained in critical care, and specially-trained support staff are on hand at all times.

Advanced and Basic Life Support Services from the many ambulance services throughout Berks County and the surrounding communities partner with The Reading Hospital and Medical Center in the treatment of the ill and injured prior to their arrival at the Hospital. These providers acquire medical guidance from the Emergency Department staff in an emergent care situations. The Hospital also offers education for the paramedic community. Paramedic Education Program at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center has been educating healthcare providers for more than 10 years.

Acute Care

This unit serves the most seriously ill and injured patients. Acute Care includes 38 specialty and multi-purpose treatment rooms. The unit also evaluates patients for medical, surgical, gynecologic, and pediatric emergencies.

Intermediate Care

This area includes 16 treatment spaces for patients with non-emergent injuries or illnesses such as cuts, sprains, and minor respiratory ailments. Intermediate Care includes Occupational Medicine and Orthopaedics areas and is designed to treat people with less acute problems as quickly as possible.

Observation

Patients from the main Emergency Department may be referred to this area for further observation and treatment, or members of the Medical Staff often see patients directly in this unit. Observation serves as diagnostic and therapeutic center for patients requiring relatively prolonged emergency care. There are 20 beds that allow for monitoring and observing, and patients may stay here for an observation period of up to 23 hours.

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