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Vail Emergency Department

Level III Trauma Center in Colorado

If you or a loved one are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days/week. The Emergency Department is located in Vail Health Hospital at 180 South Frontage Road West, Vail, CO 81657. Call (970) 479-7225 with questions.

Vail Health's Emergency Department (ED) is a 24-hour Level III Trauma Center staffed by board-certified physicians. Emergency trauma care is available to infants, pediatrics, adolescents and adults of all ages. Our highly trained staff is qualified to care for medical emergencies and stabilization of critical patients with full resuscitation capabilities. Walk-in patients are treated promptly and efficiently. The Emergency Department serves the emergency medical needs of the community and visitors.
 
FEATURES
  • Emergent medical and trauma treatment
  • Treatment and care of sports-related injuries with expertise in ski injuries, splinting and casting
  • Disaster preparedness and response in conjunction with county and pre-hospital agencies
  • Occupational health services

OUR SERVICES
As a Level III Trauma Center, our physicians and trauma team are ready 24/7.
  • 24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons, as well as coverage by the specialties of orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care. 
  • 24/7 mental health crisis clinicians
  • Top trauma and orthopaedic surgeons
  • Full-time cardiologists with Cardiac Catheterization Lab on-site
  • State-of-the-art imaging and diagnostics
  • On-site laboratory
  • Intensive Care Unit for critical patients
  • Family Birth Center with Level II Nursery
  • Emergency helicopter transport
  • Transfer agreements for patients requiring more comprehensive care at a Level I or Level II Trauma Center 
  • Back-up care for rural and community hospitals
  • Tertiary care needs such as cardiac surgery, hemodialysis and microvascular surgery may be referred to a Level I Trauma Center. 
Vail Health Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program and provides trauma prevention and continuing education programs for staff.    

Emergency Department or Urgent Care?

When To Call 911

In the case of a medical emergency, call 911. Paramedics can deliver life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital. 
  • Heart attack symptoms
  • Head trauma or skull fracture
  • Loss of vision or consciousness
  • Severe chest or abdominal pain
  • Severe burns, lacerations or bleeding
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stroke symptoms
Please note, children may display different symptoms than adults. Always get immediate medical attention if you think a child is having a medical emergency.

When To Visit An Urgent Care

Urgent Care clinics are a great resource if your primary doctor is not available. They treat the following medical symptoms right away. 
  • Altitude Sickness and Dehydration
  • Allergies
  • Back Pain
  • Cough, Cold, Flu, Sore Throat, Strep Throat
  • Ear Pain
  • Infections: Urinary Tract Infection, Upper Respiratory Infection, Sinus Infection
  • Migraine
  • Minor Cuts, Lacerations and Burns
  • Minor Allergic Reactions
  • Sprains, Minor Fractures/Broken Bones
  • Rash
  • Upset Stomach, Vomiting, Diarrhea
  • Vaginal Bleeding and/or Discharge 
Please note, children may display different symptoms than adults. Always get immediate medical attention if you think a child is having a medical emergency.

When to Visit The Emergency Department

The following symptoms are best evaluated in an Emergency Department. 
  • Persistent chest pain, especially if it radiates to your arm or jaw or is accompanied by sweating, vomiting  
  • Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
  • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
  • Confusion or changes in mental status, including suicidal thoughts
  • Any sudden or severe pain, particularly in the abdomen or starting halfway down the back
  • Sudden clumsiness, loss of balance, fainting or dizziness
  • Sudden difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding speech 
  • Sudden weakness or paralysis, especially on one side of the face or body
  • Severe heart palpitations
  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Sudden testicular pain and swelling
  • Newborn baby with a fever (a baby less than three months old with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher needs to be seen right away)
  • Falls that cause injury or occur while taking blood thinning medications
  • Sudden vision changes, including blurred or double vision and full or partial vision loss
  • Broken bones or dislocated joints
  • Deep cuts that require stitches — especially on the face — or a large open wound that won’t stop bleeding
  • Head or eye injuries
  • Severe flu or cold symptoms
  • High fevers or fevers with rash
  • Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
  • Severe and persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  • Serious burns
  • Seizures without a previous diagnosis of epilepsy
  • Blood in your stool or urine
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Coughing or vomiting blood
  • Infection with severe symptoms
  • After-hours care for minor illnesses or injuries if no other option is  available
Please note, children may display different symptoms than adults. Always get immediate medical attention if you think a child is having a medical emergency.