An emergency is a medical problem that could cause death or permanent injury if not treated right away. For example:
- Chest pain that may be accompanied by sweating, shortness of breath, spreading pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or a fast or irregular heartbeat
- Stroke symptoms such as sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
- Bleeding that doesn't stop after 15 minutes of direct pressure
- Sudden severe pain and swelling in a joint
- Difficulty breathing
- Passing out (fainting)
- Swallowing poison
- Choking
- Broken bones
- Bites, human or from some animals
- Gaping wounds (the edges don't come together)
Virtua's emergency departments (EDs) are prepared to meet the needs of each patient 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the five Virtua hospitals in Camden, Marlton, Mount Holly, Voorhees and Willingboro, as well as the satellite ED centers in Berlin and Camden. The emergency departments at Virtua Berlin and Camden provide medical care and stabilization of patients in critical condition who require transfer and admission to an inpatient hospital. Specialty services are available in certain locations.