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) 92% 60% 69%

Timely & Effective Care

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 all patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit, including psychiatric/mental health patients and patients who were transferred to another facility (a lower number of minutes is better) 103 minutes 119 minutes 129 minutes Average (median) time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit, excluding patients transferred to another facility or psychiatric care/mental health patients (a lower number of minutes is better) 100 minutes 114 minutes 122 minutes Average (median) time patients spent in the emergency department before being transferred to another facility, not including psychiatric/mental health patients (a lower number of minutes is better) 223 minutes 214 minutes 223 minutes

Emergency

A female emergency medical technician and a male paramedic care for a female patient inside an ambulance Brookings 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 patients who came to the emergency department with stroke symptoms who received brain scan results within 45 minutes of arrival (higher percentages are better)	92%	60%	69%

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 all patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit, including psychiatric/mental health patients and patients who were transferred to another facility (a lower number of minutes is better)	103 minutes	119 minutes	129 minutes
Average (median) time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit, excluding patients transferred to another facility or psychiatric care/mental health patients (a lower number of minutes is better)	100 minutes	114 minutes	122 minutes
Average (median) time patients spent in the emergency department before being transferred to another facility, not including psychiatric/mental health patients (a lower number of minutes is better)	223 minutes	214 minutes	223 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

When retired police chief Bryan Gums felt something wasn't right, he came to Brookings Health System's Emergency Department. What he thought was AFib was actually cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick actions of our Emergency Department, Bryan is here today enjoying more time with his family and grandchildren.

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.

A Second Chance at Life [Bryan Gums ER]

Understanding Emergency Care Options [Jason Domagalski]

Maternal Instincts and Advocacy Lead to Proper Diagnosis [Ashley Hendricks]

It’s Tough to Come by Compassion Like I’ve Received Here [Kourtney Born]

Supportive, Coordinated Care Offers Relief from Kidney Stone [Tom Davis]

Finding Answers During a Medical Emergency [Harlan + Mary Christianson]

Emergency Care Saves Infant’s Life [Jenny LeBrun]

Grateful for Local Emergency Care [Cassi Wright]

Local Emergency Care [Michelle + Adam Holtquist]

Reassuring Care in an Emergency [Maryann Copley]

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.