Emergency Services
Emergencies can happen at any time. That's why it's important to be prepared and know where to go when you need medical care - fast. The emergency medicine team at Merit Health River Region provides care to patients in Vicksburg and surrounding areas when they need it most.
Merit Health River Region's emergency department is a designated Level IV trauma center. In addition to 24/7 emergency care, we provide:
- A 24-hour laboratory for emergency testing
- A 24-hour occupational medicine program that offers workers' compensation injury support
- A 24-hour pharmacy to take care of your medication requirements
- A 24-hour radiology department for required X-rays and diagnostic testing
- An ER Fast Track that is dedicated to minor injuries or illnesses from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The emergency department is also backed by AIR CARE, the region's only hospital-based dedicated air transport service.
Hands-only CPR: Two Steps to Staying Alive
The following information is provided by the American Heart Association
What is Hands-Only CPR?
Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an "out-of-hospital" setting (such as at home, at work, or in a park). It consists of two easy steps:
- Call 911 (or send someone to do that)
- Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
When you call 911, you need to stay on the phone until the 911 dispatcher (operator) tells you to hang up. The dispatcher will ask you about the emergency. They will also ask for details such as your location. It is important to be specific, especially if you are calling from a mobile phone as that is not associated with a fixed location or address. Remember that answering the dispatcher's questions will not delay the arrival of help.