Act Fast, Call 911
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have a life-threatening illness or injury.
Emergency Care
Get advanced medical treatment for life-threatening illnesses and injuries
Emergency Care at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth
No one expects to face a medical emergency — but if you do, you can count on us.
At BID Plymouth’s Sykes Emergency Department, our caring experts are ready to help you or your loved one. Our team includes specialty-trained, board-certified doctors and dedicated nursing staff, many of whom are certified emergency nurses.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, we’re here for you. We provide fast stroke and heart attack care and treat all other types of life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Together, we offer all the medical expertise you need for your health and well-being — and a reassuring touch on your path to recovery.
We also offer in-person interpreters during the week, and video/phone interpreters twenty-four seven, seven days a week.
Get the Right Care at the Right Place
It isn’t always easy to know when you require emergency care. Any time an injury could be severe or put life your life at risk, it’s best to call 911 or get to the nearest emergency department. In other cases, seeking the right care at the right place may save you time and money.
When To Seek Emergency Care
- Broken bones
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Head or eye injuries
- Serious burns or cuts
When To Seek Urgent Care
- Animal bites/stings
- Dehydration
- Minor cuts, burns or sprains
- Rashes
When To Seek Primary Care from Your Provider
- Chronic conditions like diabetes
- Minor infections
- Minor scrapes and bruises
- Muscle pain
What happens when I arrive?
When you first arrive, one of our nurses will ask you a few short questions and take your vital signs. This process is known as triage. It helps us assess your condition and determine how quickly you need treatment. We treat everyone as soon as possible. But, we help those with the most serious conditions first. This means patients may not be treated in the order in which they arrive.
How long will I have to wait?
If we determine you need attention right away, we’ll take you directly to a treatment room. Otherwise, you may have to wait until space becomes available. While you wait, we may provide suggestions or medication to address your symptoms. We do our best to keep you comfortable.
Wait times can vary. But we make every effort to see each patient as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Can my family stay with me during treatment?
We encourage your loved ones to be with you throughout your stay in the emergency department. However, there may be times when we ask your friends or family to wait outside the treatment area. With your permission, we’ll keep those who are with you informed about your care and condition.
Will the Emergency Department prescribe pain medication?
We’ve adopted guidelines by the Massachusetts Hospital Association regarding opioid pain medication prescriptions. There may be times when we prescribe a limited amount of opioid medication. However, in most cases, we believe it’s best for patients to receive these medications through a single medical clinic or provider, and not an emergency department. This helps ensure safety and quality of care.
What happens after treatment?
If an emergency department doctor thinks you should be admitted to the hospital, they’ll discuss it with you and answer any questions you might have. They will arrange for your care to continue with one of our hospitalists or specialists.
If you’re able to return home, the doctor or a nurse will provide written instructions and go over them with you. They also may refer you to your doctor or a specialist for follow-up care.
Services & Specialties
BID Plymouth provides both comprehensive and specialized patient care. Learn more.
Meet the Emergency Care Team
Meet the team of experienced, highly trained emergency physicians at BID Plymouth.
Choose Your Best Care Option
Living healthy and well depends on having the right team at your side. With an extensive network of medical experts and nearby locations, BID Plymouth makes it easy.
