Emergency Medicine

Delivering lifesaving treatments for serious injuries and illnesses.

ER staff with gurney rushing patient to ER
Emergency medicine in Westwood, California

UCLA Health excellence in emergency room medicine

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. Nethercutt Emergency Department in UCLA Health Santa Monica Medical Center has the only pediatric intensive care unit in the city of Santa Monica. 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 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.

Our emergency department specialties

Our emergency services team uses advanced technology to treat the full range of life-threatening conditions. We work with UCLA Health specialists to deliver an accurate diagnosis and customized treatments. Patients benefit from our vast knowledge and commitment to compassionate care.

Our EDs are all Level I trauma centers, Level II trauma centers or pediatric critical care centers. The Nethercutt Emergency Center has the city of Santa Monica’s only pediatric intensive care unit and pediatrics unit. The UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center ED offers the highest quality emergency care to more than 50,000 patients every year. We are also leaders in heart attack care and provide fast, effective treatments for stroke.

We met strict guidelines to achieve these designations. They reflect our commitment to delivering the highest level of care to you and your family.

Conditions we treat

If you or your loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to the closest emergency department.

Our emergency medicine specialists treat a wide range of severe and life-threatening injuries and illnesses. These include:

  • Abdominal pain, severe vomiting, overdose or poisoning
  • Broken bones
  • Choking or trouble breathing
  • Head trauma, injury to neck or spine or loss of consciousness
  • Heart attack, chest pain and chest pressure
  • Life-threatening allergic reactions
  • Seizures
  • Severe burns or bleeding
  • Stroke, sudden weakness or trouble walking or talking

Our expert emergency department team

Our team includes more than 100 emergency medicine specialists across several locations. We are uniquely qualified to handle any emergency using sophisticated technology and the latest advances in care.

Contact us

We’re here when you need us most. Search below to find emergency care nearby.

Find a UCLA Health ED near you

Find your care

Our emergency medicine team is here when you need us most. If you’re having an emergency, call 911 or go directly to the emergency department.