Emergency Services
Emergency Department
With two cardiac rooms, two trauma rooms, and 10 treatment rooms, the Emergency Department sees patients with severe and life-threatening illnesses, conditions and injuries. Specially trained and experienced doctors, nurses, and Associates trained in respiratory therapy, phlebotomy, and other allied health specializations staff the Emergency Department all day and all night. The nursing team is trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum, and Emergency Nurse Pediatric Certification.
The Emergency Department is always open – even on holidays. The department is backed by the full services of the hospital with many subspecialty services available including cardiology, pulmonary, otolaryngology, orthopedics, gynecology, obstetrics, general surgery, and more. If a patient needs diagnostic laboratory services, imaging, or other tests or procedure, the ED team will work with Associates throughout the hospital to coordinate care.
Hospitalist Care
For patients who come into the Emergency and whose injuries or illnesses require hospitalization, NRMC’s hospitalists – doctors specially trained to care for patients admitted to the hospital – ensure a smooth transition of care from the ER to a nursing floor. Working with laboratory, radiology & imaging, and other departments, the hospitalists coordinate care amongst a multidisciplinary team.
When to Call 9-1-1
If you think you have life-threatening injury or illness, you should call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance. Natchitoches Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Services provide paramedics and ambulance services for the parish. They will come to you and transport you to the hospital. In a life threating situation, you should go to the nearest Emergency Room.
Know the Warning Signs of Stroke
Face Drooping
Does one side of the face droop or feel numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile lopsided or uneven?
Arm Weakness
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
Speech Difficulty
Is the speech slurred or difficult to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence such as the “The sky is blue.” Can they do so?
Know the Warning Signs of Heart Attack
- Chest discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath. This can occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
See American Heart Association’s heart attack warning signs.
Dr. Timothy D. Collins
501 Keyser Ave
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.214.4200
Medical School: Louisiana State University Shreveport
Internship: Louisiana State University Shreveport
Residency: Louisiana State University Shreveport
