When minor emergencies happen, Bay Area residents can now click on houstonmethodist.org/stjohn-er to reserve a time to see one of the board-certified physicians at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital Emergency Room.

“The new online check-in tool makes it possible for patients who are not seriously injured or ill to reserve a time in advance of their ER visit,” said Nadim Islam, M.D., a board-certified emergency medicine physician and medical director of the Houston Methodist St. John Emergency Room. “This allows patients to wait in the comfort of their home and be seen quickly when they arrive at the ER.”

Islam stresses that 9-1-1 should always be called when a medical emergency is life-threatening. For patients with less serious illnesses or injuries, the new online scheduling service is ideal.

“On average, patients who use our online check-in reservation tool can expect to wait less than 10 minutes to see a health care provider," Islam said. "Although, in the event of a critical care emergency in the ER, wait times could be longer."

The emergency room at Houston Methodist St. John is open 24/7 and is staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians and specially trained nurses. Imaging and lab services are performed onsite. And, if necessary, patients can be admitted to Houston Methodist St. John Hospital for further treatment or observation.

In addition, Houston Methodist St. John Hospital is an accredited chest pain facility with a cardiac catheterization lab for special heart procedures and a designated acute stroke care facility with a fellowship-trained neurologist on staff. It is also the first hospital in the Bay Area to achieve Pathway to Excellence designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

“These designations certify that we consistently meet the gold standard for treating heart attacks and strokes and we are committed to nursing excellence,” said Islam. “This is a tremendous benefit for the people of the Bay Area, because it means that they can receive the best possible life-saving care close to home.”

Houston Methodist St. John Hospital ER is located on Nasa Road One, across from the NASA/Johnson Space Center. Visit houstonmethodist.org/stjohn-er for more information. To find a Houston Methodist St. John physician visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 281.333.8899.