An emergency department, especially one as highly regarded as ours, can be a chaotic place. Gunshot victims and heart attack patients mingle with concerned parents holding children with ear infections. We provide a level of care and attention that helps reassure our patients that, despite the chaos, their needs will be met.

Among our accomplishments, we are the only Level 1 Trauma Center for southern San Mateo and northern Santa Clara counties. And because we also serve as the regional trauma center for northern and mid-California and adjacent states, our emergency physicians treat some of the most complex cases to be found. In response, we have developed numerous innovations, including highly regarded efforts to reduce infection, and an exemplary record in treating both strokes and heart attacks.

Our role as a regional trauma center also means patients from throughout the western United States need a way to get to us quickly. Our Life Flight Medical Transport Program, begun in 1984, uses ground vehicles and helicopters to transport critically ill or injured patients from throughout the state while providing high-quality medical care en route.

We are also aware that a patient’s distress decreases his or her chances for a successful recovery. In response, we’ve implemented a series of programs to help address common emotional concerns in the Emergency Department (ED). 

One example is our development of the ED patient representative associates program.  This program uses specially screened and carefully trained volunteers to enhance communication between care providers and patients and their families, to troubleshoot patients' special needs, and to offer comfort at the bedside.

We are also developing a new pediatric emergency medicine program. It includes specially trained pediatric emergency physicians and nurses as well as the construction of a new child-friendly section in the ED.