If you face a life-threatening emergency such as a heart attack or stroke, every minute counts. Fortunately, you can receive advanced care that could save your life, close to home.

"We treat patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, and all types of emergencies, including heart attacks, strokes, trauma, abdominal pain, fractures and respiratory problems," says Teresa Rawe, DO, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and Medical Director of the Emergency Room (ER) at LWRMC.

"We can provide the same level of care available at larger hospitals in major cities, and our results are very positive," Dr. Rawe says of the comprehensive, 23-bed ER.

Teresa Rawe, DO Lakewood Ranch Emergency Medicine 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Bradenton, FL 34202 941-782-2200

The ER staff has streamlined the evaluation and treatment process so that patients can receive appropriate care as soon as possible. Care is expedited in the following ways:

• Nurses use advanced triage protocols to assess patients and can order some tests and X-rays before patients see physicians.
• The ER staff uses national guidelines to provide heart attack and stroke patients with current evidence-based treatments as quickly as possible.
• Staff members evaluate and treat some patients with minor problems in the clinical decision unit within the ER, so patients do not need to wait for ER beds to become available.
• The ER has bedside registration so that patients can minimize their wait times.

Is It an Emergency?
Call 911 or seek emergency care right away if you or a family member develops any of these serious symptoms:

• Pain or pressure in the chest or upper abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Severe or sudden pain
• Weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden dizziness, confusion, or difficulty speaking or understanding
• Changes in vision
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Vomiting or coughing blood
• Severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting
• Major trauma or injury