Compassionate emergency care, when every minute counts
When you face a possible life-threatening emergency, rest assured that we will give you our full attention and diligent care. Getting to the heart of the problem – properly diagnosing and determining the best course of case – can take time. We promise to give you the time you deserve for the care you need. Our experienced Emergency Department staff is trained to recognize and act quickly to treat the most urgent, time-sensitive cases first. However, please know that each of our patients is a priority, and we promise to give you the complete and thorough care necessary to alleviate any fears and get you back on the path to better health.
Certified levels of care
Level II trauma center
Freeman Hospital West is designated as a Level II Trauma Center by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. This designation recognizes our ability to provide comprehensive, around-the-clock trauma care for seriously injured patients. Our team includes specially trained physicians, surgeons, nurses, and support staff, along with the advanced equipment and resources needed to treat traumatic injuries 24 hours a day. Freeman also supports trauma education, injury prevention, and community outreach programs.
Level I STEMI center
Freeman Hospital West is also a Level I STEMI Center, the highest level of heart attack care certification in Missouri and the only hospital in the region to earn this designation. A STEMI is a severe type of heart attack that requires immediate treatment. This certification demonstrates that Freeman has the specialized providers, technology, and resources necessary to rapidly diagnose and treat STEMI patients. Our physicians and staff also meet rigorous ongoing education and training requirements to ensure the highest standard of care.
Level II stroke center
In addition, Freeman is designated as a Level II Stroke Center by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and was the first hospital in the area to achieve this distinction. This designation confirms that Freeman provides advanced stroke care for patients experiencing a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a “mini stroke.” Patients have access to expert evaluation, timely treatment, and specialized resources designed to improve outcomes and support recovery.
When every second counts, Freeman Hospital West is prepared to deliver expert trauma, heart attack, and stroke care close to home.
Emergency medicine, where you are
Certified by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services as a Level II Trauma Center, a Level I STEMI Center and a Level II Stroke Center, the Dr. Robert & Dorothy Willcoxon Emergency/Trauma Center at Freeman West provides comprehensive emergency care 24 hours a day.
Freeman West – Emergency Department
1102 West 32nd Street
Joplin, MO
417.347.6656
Freeman Neosho provides the community with an emergency department staffed 24 hours a day by experienced ER physicians.
Freeman Ambulance Service covers the entire 540-mile McDonald County area, averaging more than 60,000 miles per year per ambulance. Freeman Ambulance Service provides reliable, safe and comfortable equipment to serve patients, particularly on the often difficult, rural roads of McDonald County.
Freeman Neosho – Emergency Department
113 West Hickory Street
Neosho, MO
417.451.1234
Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. provides the community with an emergency department staffed 24 hours a day by experienced ER physicians.
Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc., is located in Fort Scott, Kansas, and is part of Freeman Health System. A six-bed emergency department and 10-bed acute care hospital, Freeman Fort Scott Hospital offers a range of services designed to meet the needs of the local community, with a focus on accessibility, innovation, and personalized care.
Freeman Fort Scott Hospital – Emergency Department
401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
Fort Scott, Kan., 66701
620.768.0388 – Switchboard
What to expect
After you check in:
After checking in at the reception desk, a nurse will ask about your symptoms and medical history to assess the severity of your condition. This process, called triage, helps determine which patients need to be treated first.
Patients are seen based on the seriousness of their condition, not the order in which they arrive. Depending on your needs, we may:
Our goal is to begin your evaluation and treatment as quickly as possible, even if an exam room is not immediately available.
If your condition worsens while you are waiting, or if you feel you have been waiting an unusually long time, please notify a member of our reception team immediately.
After treatment:
Once your treatment is complete, you may be admitted to the hospital, transferred to another facility, or discharged home. If you are discharged, we will provide written instructions to help guide your care after you leave the Emergency Department. You may find it helpful to have a family member or friend review these instructions with you.
Know where to go
Emergency or urgent care?
It can be difficult to decide which type of care to seek in the event of a medical issue, but there can be a big difference in time and money. If your condition is not life-threatening, you can visit one of the Freeman Urgent Care clinics listed below.
Non-life threatening
Freeman Urgent Care walk-in clinics provide quick, convenient care for health needs that are not life threatening, but can’t wait until the next day or longer. They are open outside of regular business hours and are less expensive than emergency department care. Examples of conditions that can be dealt with in an urgent care clinic include:
Life threatening
Call 911 or visit the emergency department immediately if you are in severe pain or your condition is endangering your life. Examples of medical emergencies include:
A Guide to Primary Care vs. Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care
Making the right choice can make a difference in time and money.
Additional services
MedFlight provides access to emergency medical services through helicopters designed as “flying intensive care units.” Freeman West has two helipads located outside Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute and one hot off-load helipad with direct elevator access to state-of-the-art emergency room trauma bays. MedFlight air ambulance also provides emergency transport services to and from Freeman Neosho.
The MedFlight team consists of registered nurses and critical care paramedics experienced in trauma, cardiac, and critical care and hold advanced certifications in their area of specialty.
MedFlight pilots are trained to fly in various conditions and all crew members utilize night vision goggles when appropriate. Pilots have a minimum of 2,000 hours of flight experience and are put through recurrent training on emergency procedures several times a year.
Through the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, Freeman doctors and nurses offer free forensic exams and compassionate care to adult female and male sexual assault victims at the Freeman Hospital West Emergency Department in Joplin. The program provides a coordinated hospital response and comprehensive care for victims of sexual violence.
