Emergency Department

HomeHealth ServicesEmergency & Trauma CareEmergency Department

ECMC offers comprehensive emergency services unrivaled by other institutions. From broken bones to sudden illnesses to severe trauma, the Emergency Department at ECMC is committed to providing the highest quality emergency care in an environment dedicated to patient satisfaction. We also pride ourselves in being a regional leader for teaching and research related to emergency medicine.

As the medical emergency response system and the designated mass casualty center for the eight counties of Western New York, the ECMC Emergency Department serves greater than 60,000 patients on average each year. All of our attending physicians are board-certified in emergency medicine, and our registered nurses are specially trained in emergency care.

ECMC Emergency Department Services

  • CPEP (Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program)
  • Alcohol and substance abuse counselor located in the ED
  • 24/7 attending physician coverage
  • 24/7 imaging available, including CT scans, X-rays, and MRI
  • Advanced technologies across specialties
  • Telemedicine services
  • Occupational health services
  • Travel services
  • Regional Emergency Preparedness Disaster Center
  • Designated Stroke Center
  • Designated NYS Department of Health Center of Excellence for victims of sexual assault
  • Patient Portal
  • Discharge planning
  • Patient advocates
  • Pharmacy services
  • Helicopter access

In addition to responding to emergency situations, our team serves as a community partner through programs and offerings like:

  • SMART (Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team), a 24/7 physician response team for mass casualty incidents
  • Crisis Services advocates for patient and family needs available 24/7
  • Brave (Buffalo Rising Against Violence) is the region’s only hospital –based violence intervention program
  • Medication and syringe drop box provided by the Erie County Sherriff’s Department

Frequently Asked Questions

I visited the Emergency Department before. Why do they need my information again?

Even if you are in our computer system, we need to check the data to make sure the information is current and accurate and up to date.

Why do people who arrived after me get treated first?

There are a wide variety of medical conditions that bring people to the Emergency Department. Those patients who are the most seriously ill will be seen first; this is called “triage.” Also, the physician specializing in your particular condition may already be treating other patients.

Where can I park?

The new Key Bank Trauma and Emergency Department now has a surface parking lot located adjacent to the facility for convenient parking.

How many people can be with me in the ED treatment area?

Due to COVID-19 NYS Guidelines as of 3/1/21: Only one support person is permitted per patient. One visitor will be able to accompany you in the Emergency Department, and your visitor must remain in the patient’s treatment room for the entire visit. All visitors must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Each visitor must wear a mask at all times, and ensure social distancing with proper hand hygiene. If your loved one is admitted to the hospital, you may accompany them to their room during inpatient visiting hours. If they are admitted outside of visiting hours, you can return during visiting hours. Pediatric patients may have both parents as essential support persons.

How is payment for services handled?

A financial counselor is available in the Emergency Department to answer questions about payment.

Is there anywhere to get something to eat or drink?

Due to COVID-19, we are limiting the number of people in waiting rooms due to social distancing concerns. Therefore, only one support person will be able to accompany each patient in the Emergency Department. The support person must remain in the patient’s treatment room for the entire visit, unless asked to leave during a patient care procedure. The support person may leave the patient room for food or restroom use and return to the patient’s room. Vending machines are located in the waiting room and there is a Tim Hortons and a Subway located in the main lobby.

Additional Emergency & Trauma Care Services