Emergency Services

When the unexpected happens, Rochelle Community Hospital is ready. Our Emergency Department is here when you need us: 24/7, delivering prompt, compassionate treatment close to home. Our department features seven exam rooms, including two trauma rooms and a dedicated triage room, allowing us to respond quickly to urgent and life-threatening conditions.

We aim to see most patients within 15–30 minutes of arrival. Patients with life-threatening or traumatic conditions are treated first, ensuring those who need immediate care receive it without delay.

Knowing where to go can be confusing.

• Choose Convenient Care for minor illnesses or injuries you’d normally see your primary care provider for—especially when your provider isn’t available.
• Choose the Emergency Room when you need immediate care at any time of day, or if symptoms are severe or worsening.

Go to the ER right away for symptoms such as:

• Chest pain
• Severe injuries or uncontrolled bleeding
• Stroke symptoms (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
• Trouble breathing

When in doubt, it’s always safest to choose the Emergency Room.

When you arrive:

1. Triage: A nurse will assess your symptoms, medical history, medications, and vital signs.
2. Evaluation: Based on urgency, you’ll be taken to an exam room or asked to wait briefly while our team monitors you.
3. Treatment: Once in a room, you’ll be evaluated by our emergency nurses and physicians. Tests or imaging may be ordered based on your symptoms.
4. Next Steps: After diagnosis and treatment, your care team will determine whether you can safely go home or need to be admitted or transferred for additional care.

If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not drive yourself.

Every second matters. Rochelle Community Hospital is equipped to rapidly diagnose and stabilize heart attack patients. Upon arrival:

• An immediate EKG and blood tests are performed
• Clot-busting medications may be administered if appropriate
• Patients are prepared for rapid transfer to advanced cardiac care

Our goal is to have heart attack patients transferred to a higher level of cardiac care within 60 minutes.

If you suspect a stroke, call 9-1-1 right away.

Rochelle Community Hospital is designated as an Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital (ERSH) by the Illinois Department of Public Health. This means we are prepared to provide fast evaluation, treatment, and transfer for stroke patients.

Prompt care is critical. Stroke delays can lead to permanent brain damage, paralysis, or loss of speech. Our community can feel confident knowing high-quality stroke care starts right here.

Our Emergency Department is staffed by board-certified emergency physicians through Envision, delivering the same high-level care found in leading medical centers—without the need to travel.

Our nurses maintain advanced certifications and participate in ongoing training, including:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum (TNCC) / Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) or Trauma Nurse Specialist (TNS)