Emergency department in Walterboro, South Carolina

When you or a loved one experience a medical emergency and need to go to the emergency room (ER), you want to receive the highest level of care possible. You also want to be treated as quickly as possible. Rest assured that at Colleton Medical Center, our ER provides the prompt, effective care you need in an emergency.

If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

Features of our ER

During a medical emergency, every second counts. To ensure you receive the immediate care you need, our 20-bed ER:

  • Is integrated with an emergency medical service (EMS) that provides out-of-hospital acute care and transport
  • Is staffed with emergency physicians who work closely with medical specialists and imaging services within the hospital to ensure quick diagnosis and treatment
  • Has incorporated cardiac monitoring units for the fast and early diagnosis of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions
  • Has developed a “Fast Track” service to expedite the care of patients who are not acutely ill

When to seek emergency care

Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience any of the following:

  • Back, neck or head injury
  • Broken bone
  • Chest pain
  • Continual vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Persistent bleeding
  • Severe allergic reaction
  • Severe burn
  • Sudden, intense pain
  • Traumatic injury
  • Unexplained dizziness, weakness or vision problems
  • Very low (hypothermia) or high (hyperthermia) body temperature

Stroke symptoms

Knowing the symptoms of a stroke is essential. If you notice one or more of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately:

  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs—especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Stroke risk factors

Some factors increase your risk of stroke including:

  • Being 55 years old or older
  • Being African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander
  • Having a family history of stroke

Pediatric emergency care

Having to visit the ER can be an overwhelming experience—especially for a child. That's why our emergency staff members are trained to address the unique needs of our youngest patients. When you bring your child to our ER, a specialist will treat them soon as possible. We also take extra steps to ensure our young patients feel comfortable and secure, no matter their condition.

ER wait times

Our ER wait times are calculated by a four-hour rolling average that is updated every 30 minutes. The wait time is defined as the time from a patient's arrival to when they are greeted by a qualified medical professional.

We post up-to-the-minute information about our ER wait times. This data is available:

  • Online
  • On our digital billboards
  • Via text message

ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.