Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Providing prompt and effective emergency medical attention to everyone in a community, regardless of circumstances, requires careful planning, collaboration, and dedication. Whether it’s a visit to the hospital emergency room or a freestanding emergency department, or an educational program in a public space, emergency services are essential components of any community’s infrastructure.
Emergency Care at MMH
Manatee Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Care Center (ECC) plays an essential role in caring for the urgent health needs of our community, treating more than 80,000 children and adult patients each year. The expanded center was opened in 2018 to help accommodate Manatee County’s growing population. It is just under 33,000 square feet, making it the largest ECC in the county.
Freestanding Emergency Departments
Manatee Memorial Hospital’s desire to provide more convenient access to healthcare has led to the introduction of freestanding emergency departments. The FEDs are very similar to the emergency department at a hospital. They handle any emergency and are fully staffed with a doctor on site 24/7. In addition, they can perform CT scans as well as full X-rays, and there is a comprehensive lab.
“We’re going out into the community, and in a place like Manatee County, that’s critical,” said Teresa Rawe, DO, medical director for emergency medicine at Manatee Memorial. “Manatee County has grown exponentially in recent years, and yet the hospitals are stationary. By going into the communities, we are making it easier for patients to access emergency care. Not only that, but the hospitals are very crowded. The freestanding emergency departments ease that crowding.”
“Typically, our FEDs have a shorter waiting time to be seen,” explained Tammy Sloas, Nursing Director, Manatee FEDs. “If an admission is necessary, we will transport a patient to Manatee Memorial for additional care and treatment.* We are staffed with physicians 24/7 and our nurses are trauma-trained and ready for all emergency situations.”
FED vs. Urgent Care Centers
Urgent care centers have set hours, treat non-emergency issues, including routine cough and cold, nausea and vomiting, mild belly pain, scrapes, simple lacerations, or someone needing a tetanus shot. Some are also capable of treating small fractures and sprains. Most urgent care centers don’t have comprehensive labs that can provide answers on site and are limited in radiology services.
Educating the Community
Knowing that emergency services are available and ready to respond instills a sense of security and peace of mind in Manatee residents.
The American College of Surgeons’ STOP THE BLEED® program has prepared over 3 million people worldwide on how to stop bleeding in a severely injured person. Manatee Memorial takes this program to the community, teaching individuals the three methods of bleeding control using video demonstrations, interactive learning, and spontaneous quizzes.
“We are preparing the public to save lives by raising awareness of basic actions to stop life-threatening bleeding following everyday emergencies and man-made and natural disasters,” said Jill Ruff, who oversees the program with Emergency Department Paramedic Ed Wheat. “Massive bleeding from any cause, but particularly in a situation where a medical response is delayed, can result in death.”
“Offering education to the community is very important, not all wounds need medical attention from urgent care or the ER,” added Shelly Lucchesi, Employee Health Manager. “Having the confidence to know that you are able to properly assess and wrap a wound is a great skill to have. During an emergency situation, being able to tend to a bleeding wound while waiting for EMS to arrive may be the difference between life and death.”
The Emergency Care Center at
Manatee Memorial Hospital
206 Second Street East, Bradenton
Phone: 941-746-5111
Manatee ER at Bayshore Gardens**
5506 14th Street West, Bradenton
Phone: (941) 751-7800
ER at Sun City Center**
16504 US 301, Wimauma
Phone: (813) 642-1000
Coming soon:
Manatee ER at Palma Sola**
75th Street and Manatee
Avenue West, Bradenton
If you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
For information, visit the hospital website at manateememorial.com/emergency
*Or arrange for transfer to a hospital of your choice.
**These emergency departments are part of Manatee Memorial Hospital. They are not urgent care centers. Their services and care are billed at hospital emergency department rates. Wait times may vary.
Physicians are on the medical staff of Manatee Memorial Hospital, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit the hospital’s website.
