Member News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 1, 2010

Quick Emergency Care Close to Home for Mokena Couple

For Mokena residents John and Judith Block receiving emergency care at the Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center in Homer Glen proved to be beneficial to not just one of them, but to both. "We went to the Silver Cross Emergency Center because my husband, John's, knee was terribly swollen," said Judith Block. "Who would of thought when we arrived I'd be needing emergency treatment too."

As they began their day, John was suffering from knee pain as a result of a recent surgery. "When my knee continued to swell, I knew I needed to get it looked at quickly," said John Block. They decided to seek treatment at the Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center, which is located just minutes from their home. "We were very pleased at the quick attention we received as the nurses grabbed a wheel chair right away."

Then, as John was having a CT-scan to examine his swollen knee, Judith began not feeling well. "While I was there, my heart began racing, and since I have a history of heart problems, I was checked out too," said Judith. "The staff comforted me and alleviated any fears I was having."

"It was a great experience and we would definitely use the Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center again," said John. "The Center is not only close to home, it is very easy to get to. Plus the nurses and doctors were very professional, intelligent and efficient."

The development of Free-Standing Emergency Care Centers throughout the country were in response to consumers who want more convenient ways to care for injuries and illnesses that are too serious to wait for a doctor's appointment. "We want to give patients options in how they access our services," says Theresa Quinn, Director of Ambulatory Care at Silver Cross.

The Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center is an extension of Silver Cross Hospital's Emergency Department The Center opened last summer as is the first licensed free-standing emergency center in the State. Located at 143rd St. and Bell Rd in Homer Glen, the Homer Glen emergency center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and staffed by Silver Cross Hospital's board certified emergency medicine physicians and nurses.

Patients can check wait times—if any at www.silvercross.org for both the Homer Glen Free-Standing Emergency Care Center as well as Silver Cross Hospital Emergency Department in Joliet.

"From the very beginning, it was our hope to bring 24/7 emergency services to the residents of Homer Glen and nearby communities. We wanted to create an alternative to a hospital emergency room that would provide convenient accessible care during all hours of the day for patients of all ages with any type of illness or injury," said Daniel Checco, D.O., Medical Director for the Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center.

Warning signs for when you should seek treatment at an Emergency Center—like the Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center:

  • Chest pain that lasts at least 2 minutes
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Sudden or severe pain
  • Coughing or vomiting blood
  • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
  • Sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision
  • Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  • Change in mental status such as confusion
  • Chronic conditions such as asthma or migraines sometimes flare up and require emergency care. A severe asthma attack, for instance, may be life-threatening if you can't breathe properly. If you have a chronic condition, it's best to work with your health care provider to prevent aggravating a condition. If you do need to go to the ER for your chronic condition, be sure to let your healthcare provider know.

The Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center is located in the same building as the Silver Cross Health Center. Laboratory services and diagnostic imaging services including: MRI, CT, X-ray, Ultrasound and EKGs are available. And there are several physician offices including a pediatrician, podiatrist, spine and colorectal surgeons, cardiologists and family practice physicians. For more information, call (708) 364-6337.

About Silver Cross Hospital
Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for the last five consecutive years and as one of America's Most Customer Friendly Hospitals by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With over 2,500 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 304-bed acute care hospital and eight satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Construction has begun to build a state-of-the-art replacement hospital opening in 2012 in New Lenox. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).