Brookings Health System

Emergency

ER nurse listening to a patient's heart beat while patient lies on a bed in an exam roomBrookings 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.gov

Brookings Health System

South Dakota Average

National Average

Percentage of outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who got drugs to break up blood clots within 30 minutes of arrival (higher percentages are better)

78%

41%

53%

Measure from Medicare.gov

Brookings Health System

South Dakota Average

National 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)

100%

58%

70%

Measure from Medicare.gov Brookings Health System South Dakota Average National 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) 83 minutes 112 minutes 129 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

Steve Swartos shares his experience with the emergency department at Brookings Health after experiencing issues with esophageal varices.

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. Hear her story.

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:

Adrian Dreesen, M.D.

Adrian Dreessen, M.D.

Overall Rating

4.40575 stars - 80 reviews
  • Emergency
  • Brookings Hospital
4.41 of 5 (80 ratings, 15 comments)
Alex Qader, M.D.

Alex Qader, M.D.

Overall Rating

4.2893956043956 stars - 182 reviews
  • Emergency
  • Brookings Hospital
4.29 of 5 (182 ratings, 34 comments)
Christopher Wangsness, M.D.

Christopher Wangsness, M.D.

Overall Rating

4.3690432098765 stars - 324 reviews
  • Emergency
  • Brookings Hospital
4.37 of 5 (324 ratings, 65 comments)
Provider Fallback Image

Jared Mouw, PA-C

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

Jason Domagalski, PA-C

Overall Rating

4.5245047923323 stars - 313 reviews
  • Emergency
  • Hospitalist Program
  • Brookings Hospital
4.52 of 5 (313 ratings, 64 comments)
John Jerstad, M.D.

John Jerstad, M.D.

Overall Rating

4.5143468468468 stars - 444 reviews
  • Emergency
  • Brookings Hospital
4.51 of 5 (444 ratings, 71 comments)