Patient Care

Our outstanding emergency medicine team is ready 24/7 to care for you and your family. When every minute counts, we deliver lifesaving care quickly and efficiently. Using the latest technology and effective treatments, we’re here for you when you need us. We’re proud to offer:

Advanced treatment for all ages: The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Emergency Department is a Level I trauma center and pediatric critical care center. Our outstanding team specializes in delivering the highest level of care to children and adults.

Expert care at several locations: Our emergency medicine team cares for nearly 500,000 people a year at seven sites across the Los Angeles area. Our experts serve one of the most diverse and densely populated areas in the nation. We are always ready to respond to the needs of our busy, vibrant community. View emergency department locations.

Highest quality stroke care: The UCLA Stroke Center is certified by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center. This distinction means we’ve met the nation’s highest standards for stroke care. The UCLA Health Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) was the first of its kind on the West Coast. With a specially equipped ambulance, our team of stroke experts delivers lifesaving treatments when every minute counts. 

Recognized expertise: As designated Mission: Lifeline® (STEMI) Heart Attack Receiving Centers, our emergency departments have an established protocol to respond to heart attacks as quickly as possible. We ensure that heart attack patients reach our on-site cardiac catheterization lab in under 90 minutes. Fast response times mean better outcomes for our patients.

Streamlined access to technology: On-site CT and MRI scanners speed diagnosis and treatment for a range of symptoms and conditions, including chest pain and stroke. Our EDs feature all-digital X-rays, state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs and quick turnaround times for lab results.

What to expect when you visit the ER

Immediately upon arrival you will check-in at the registration counter. Once registration is complete, you will first see a nurse who will conduct an initial evaluation known as triage. This means that each patient is evaluated to determine the level of medical emergency. This allows us to keep every patient’s wait time as short as possible, as well as provide prompt appropriate care to all patients. After triage is complete, you will be brought to a patient room or asked to take a seat in the waiting room until a room is ready. If your condition changes while you are in the waiting room, please notify the triage nurse immediately.

What to bring

• Photo ID
• List of current medications and dosage
• List of medication allergies
• Test results related to your condition
• Contact information of your usual medical providers
• List of questions you may have
• Health insurance information

Arrival and parking

• 24/7 valet parking
• UCLA Parking 310-825-3618
  • Parking information
• Please note the entrance to the ED is located on the north side of the hospital

After Evaluation

Depending on your condition, you will either be:

• Discharged and allowed to go home
• Admitted to one of UCLA’s hospitals in Westwood
• Admitted to UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

If you are discharged

If you are released following treatment, you will receive written discharge instructions prior to leaving the Emergency Department. It is important that you understand and follow the instructions. At the time of discharge, you may be given a next-day appointment or a referral for further care. If you have any questions, make sure you ask your doctor or nurse before you leave.

If you are admitted

All UCLA hospitals are staffed by UCLA physicians and nurses, have state-of-the-art equipment, and provide the same level of exceptional care and compassion.

• To a UCLA hospital in Westwood
  • You will be escorted to a hospital room, and your medical care will be taken over by the healthcare team in the assigned unit.
• To UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
  • You will be admitted directly to an inpatient bed, and transported by ambulance at no additional cost to you. Your medical records will already be available to your healthcare team in Santa Monica through our comprehensive electronic health record (EHR).  Arrangements will be made to transport your vehicle to UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, free of charge.