The Emergency Department at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is a Level I adult and pediatric trauma center that provides emergency healthcare for all types of injuries and illnesses, from life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks or strokes to flu and viral illnesses.

Our expert triage team assesses each patient as they walk in the door, so wait times are 0 minutes for potentially life-threatening conditions such as a heart attack or stroke.

You should seek Emergency Care when experiencing:

  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Serious trauma
  • Severe burns
  • Broken bones
  • Seizures
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Vomiting that is severe and continues for several hours
  • Poisoning
  • Deep cuts and abrasions where bleeding is uncontrollable
  • Pregnancy-related medical conditions
  • Facial drooping
  • Arm weakness
  • Confusion
  • Speech difficulty

About 1 in 4 patients are sick enough to be admitted to the hospital and more than 50 percent of patients need X-rays, scans, blood work or IV therapy.

Our team consists of more than 30 board-certified emergency physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, experienced emergency nurses, sexual assault nurse examiners, forensic nurse examiners, social workers, case managers and other specially trained staff.

Emergency Care: Why Expert Care is the Best Care

Dr. Jim W. Hoekstra, Emergency Medicine expert, talks about the importance of choosing the best medical care in an emergency situation.

If you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

The wait times below represent the estimated average amount of time from entering the emergency department to being placed in a treatment area.

These wait times are approximate and updated every 15 minutes. Patients are seen based on severity of illness, not order of arrival. Patients with emergent conditions are always prioritized. Your experience may vary from the wait times below.

Should I go to Urgent Care instead?


UPDATED : Friday, September 29, 2023 3:31 AM

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Medical Center Boulevard

Winston-Salem, NC 27157

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