The Community Emergency Centers® are free-standing emergency centers, located in community neighborhoods throughout the Houston-area. They provide comprehensive emergency care to the adult and pediatric population. Patients can walk-in or arrive by ambulance.

The Community Emergency Centers provide on-site clinical laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging services. Community Emergency Centers are equipped to handle ailments such as:

• Heart Attacks
• Strokes
• Lacerations
• Broken Bones

*Referral and transport to the hospital may be necessary based on the patient's condition and will be determined by the physician.

Specialty consultations for all major medical emergencies are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including all holidays. Patients seen in the Community Emergency Centers are examined, then either:

    * Treated and discharged home, or
    * Transferred to another facility as appropriate.

Patients who require surgery, cardiac catheterization, other ancillary support services are transported to the hospital. The Community Emergency Centers arrange appropriate transportation for patients who must be transferred to another facility for treatment or who will be admitted to the hospital. The hospital's Pharmacy Department provides medication, support and consultation to the Community Emergency Centers. Referral and transport to the hospital may be necessary based on the patient's condition and will be determined by the physician.

What is the difference between a Community Emergency Center and an Emergency Department at a St. Luke's Hospital?

St. Luke's Community Emergency Centers:  The Community Emergency Centers are free-standing emergency centers that are supported 24-hours-a-day by hospital departments and medical staff. These Houston-area neighborhood centers provide emergency care and services for patients in their communities with easy access and free parking. Services are available for both children and adults.

Medical care is offered at St. Luke’s Community Emergency Centers for patients with both major and minor illnesses or injuries that may not need the full resources of a hospital-based Emergency Department, such as an admission to the hospital (for example, an overnight stay). Referral and transport to the hospital may be necessary based on the patient's condition and will be determined by the physician.

Emergency Departments at the St. Luke's Hospitals:  St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital, St. Luke's Sugar Land Hospital, St. Luke's Lakeside Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital at The Vintage offer comprehensive emergency services for both major and minor injuries and illnesses. Referral and admittance to the hospital may be necessary based on the patient's condition and will be determined by the physician.