Brookings Health System

Emergency

A female emergency medical technician and a male paramedic care for a female patient inside an ambulanceBrookings Health’s ER system quickly provides excellent medical care. Familiar, friendly faces connect with patients, giving the compassionate care expected from a Top 20 Rural Community Hospital.

The Brookings ER is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our emergency department includes 11 private patient rooms, including rooms dedicated to trauma, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatric, and orthopedics. Emergency services include access to the best technology such as LUCAS mechanical CPR devices and enhanced security.

In case of emergency, dial 911. 


Medical Excellence

As part of a Top 20 Rural Community Hospital, our ER system meets and exceeds key performance indicators for providing high-quality emergency medicine. See how our emergency department rates in the measures below.

Measure from Medicare.govBrookings Health SystemSouth Dakota AverageNational Average
Percentage of patients who came to the emergency department with stroke symptoms who received brain scan results within 45 minutes of arrival (higher percentages are better)82%70%54%
Measure from Medicare.govBrookings Health SystemSouth Dakota AverageNational Average
Percentage of patients who left the emergency department before being seen (lower percentages are better)0%1%2%
Average (median) time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit (a lower number of minutes is better)108 minutes112 minutes123 minutes

Patient Connections

Our ED’s team of familiar, local faces offer patients comfort during stressful or worrisome situations. Interprofessional teamwork and collaboration between doctors, nurses and other departments like laboratory and radiology leads to better patient outcomes. Our team also arranges follow-up care if needed for discharged patients and connects them with their primary healthcare provider or specialists.

Watch & Learn

How do you know when it’s time to go to the ER? Brookings Health System Physician Assistant Jason Domagalski discusses the differences between urgent care and emergency care and which care option is right for you. Ashley Hendricks recounts her experience with Brookings Health’s emergency care team and credits the advocacy of two ER nurses who trusted her motherly instincts with saving her infant son’s life.

After medically managing the pain caused by ovarian cysts, Kourtney Born knew she could rely on the Brookings Health emergency team when her pain and symptoms worsened. Tom Davis found support and relief from the Brookings Health ER and surgery teams as he dealt with the discomfort caused by kidney stones.

Harlan and Mary Christianson explain how the Brookings Health System emergency department and ICU gave them answers and support during Harlan’s life-threatening allergic reaction. Jenny LeBrun recounts her experience with Brookings Health’s emergency care team where she says they saved her young son’s life.

Cassi Wright’s 18-month-old son had a fall at daycare, and with his symptoms, she was worried about a possible concussion. Fortunately, she was able to get reassurance quickly from the emergency department.

Trauma Care

As a designated trauma receiving hospital, Brookings Health’s emergency department maintains 24/7 provider coverage. All Brookings emergency room staff are trauma trained and routinely use clinical skills and expertise in real-life scenarios.

Our emergency medicine experts have access to consult with the same specialists as larger ERs to aid in diagnoses and care. Our team will admit patients to the hospital if needed or transfer them to a larger facility if necessary.

System Providers:

Abbie Entringer, CNP

Abbie Entringer, CNP

  • Emergency
  • Hospitalist Program
  • Brookings Hospital
Alex Qader, M.D.

Alex Qader, M.D.

Overall Rating

4.31125 stars - 160 reviews
  • Emergency
  • Brookings Hospital
4.31 of 5 (160 ratings, 21 comments)
Christopher Wangsness, M.D.

Christopher Wangsness, M.D.

Overall Rating

4.3813008130081 stars - 246 reviews
  • Emergency
  • Brookings Hospital
4.38 of 5 (246 ratings, 43 comments)
Jared Mouw, PA-C

Jared Mouw, PA-C

  • Emergency
  • Hospitalist Program
  • Brookings Hospital
Jason Domagalski, PA-C

Jason Domagalski, PA-C

Overall Rating

4.4392857142857 stars - 280 reviews
  • Emergency
  • Hospitalist Program
  • Brookings Hospital
4.44 of 5 (280 ratings, 42 comments)
John Jerstad, M.D.

John Jerstad, M.D.

Overall Rating

4.5051359516616 stars - 331 reviews
  • Emergency
  • Brookings Hospital
4.51 of 5 (331 ratings, 40 comments)