
Severe diarrhea or vomiting - These conditions can be warning signs of many illnesses and other problems.Shortness of breath - Shortness of breath can be a sign of a heart attack and other serious conditions.Severe stomach pains - If your stomach pains are associated with blood in vomit or stool, difficulty breathing, fever or injury, it’s time for a visit to the ER.If any of these symptoms are present, even if they go away, it’s time to call 911. Signs of a stroke - The American Stroke Association indicates that the warning signs of a stroke are a drooping face, arm weakness or numbness and difficulty speaking.In men, symptoms are almost identical, but most often include chest pain and discomfort. Remember that women often don’t experience chest pain when they have a heart attack. Signs of a heart attack - In women, symptoms of a heart attack include uncomfortable pressure or pain in the chest, pain in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach, shortness of breath and more.It may be a sign of a nervous system malfunction, heart problems or a drop in blood pressure, among others. Many things can cause fainting, and it’s important to get checked out by a doctor if it occurs. Fainting - Syncope, or fainting, is caused by a lack of blood getting to the brain.Never try to move someone who is unconscious due to a fall or accident unless necessary. If the head injury is determined to be blunt force trauma by the paramedic, they may be taken to a trauma center instead. Loss of consciousness - A bump on the head that results in loss of consciousness should be attended to in the emergency room.If the bone is visible through the skin, go to the ER immediately. Possible broken limbs - Look for bruising, loss of normal function and numbness in the area that is suspected of being broken.Choosing a Level I Trauma Center can be the difference between life and death. Patients, however, can choose to which hospital they wish to be taken. Paramedics often make a decision where the injured should be taken after evaluating the incident. The word “trauma” best describes what brings people to these centers as they are equipped to handle life-threatening and critical injuries.

Highly-specialized surgeons work with the most advanced equipment to increase the likelihood of survival in the patients that are sent there. Trauma centers handle the extreme cases where there is an issue of immediate survival. They aren’t often discussed singularly because they are part of the emergency room system. Trauma centers are usually located within the ER. They have the facilities, doctors and expertise to handle almost everything that comes their way. That seems general, but ERs can handle anything from sprained ankles to heart attacks and strokes. The emergency room, emergency department or ER, is where people go when they need emergency assistance. Making the right choice could save a life. If an accident happens, it’s important to know whether you should be taken to the ER or to the Trauma Center. The terms emergency room and trauma center are no exceptions. In the medical industry, names are often thrown around or used in place of one another without much explanation.
