Emergency care (ER)

Trusted 24/7 emergency room care in State College

When serious medical issues arise, having access to care you can trust makes all the difference. Each year, nearly 55,000 people turn to Mount Nittany Medical Center for emergency room care. Located in Centre County, our Emergency Department provides fast, effective treatment for emergencies close to home, making us one of the nearest emergency hospitals in the region.

We’re here for you 24/7/365. With experienced, board-certified providers and state-of-the-art medical facilities, you can trust us to deliver the care you need, right here in State College.

When to go to the emergency room

Our emergency department is open around the clock, every day of the year, to treat serious and life-threatening conditions such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Fast heartbeat
• Difficulty speaking
• Heavy bleeding
• Suspected broken bones
• Choking
• Severe burns
• Poison or drug overdose
• Sudden vision loss

If you or someone with you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.

For non-emergency conditions, we also offer ExpressCARE walk-in care, open 7 days a week, no appointment needed. ExpressCARE can treat minor health issues, including:

• Coughs, colds and flu
• Sore throats
• Ear problems
• Urinary discomfort
• Minor skin conditions
• Minor injuries

What to expect in the ER

Experiencing a medical emergency can feel overwhelming — but knowing what to expect can help. Our emergency medicine team provides:

• Coordinated care: Our award-winning EMS teams in the field and ER staff work as one emergency medical team to make sure you receive the care you need, when you need it.
• Skilled providers: Our Emergency Department is staffed by Centre Emergency Medical Associates (CEMA) physicians who have cared for the central Pennsylvania community for more than 35 years. In addition, Mount Nittany Health’s nurses, technicians and support staff are trained to provide emergency care for patients of all ages.
• Award-winning care: Our State College emergency room has been nationally recognized for fast, exceptional, lifesaving care:
  • Stroke care: During a stroke, seconds matter. Mount Nittany Health received the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 2024 Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Award for prompt, efficient stroke care.
  • EMS care: Our EMS team earned the 2024 Mission: Lifeline® GOLD Award from the AHA for excellence in heart attack and stroke care.
  • Patient safety: Mount Nittany Medical Center received the 2024 Excellence in Patient Safety Recognition from the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.

Advanced facilities

We’ve designed our Emergency Department to provide high-quality care in a safe and comfortable environment. Features include:

• Private and semi-private rooms for patient comfort
  • Comfortable, large waiting and sub-waiting rooms
  • 48 beds, with the ability to expand to 62 beds
• Specialized care spaces:
  • Dedicated room for medical forensic exams performed by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
  • Rooms equipped for behavioral health crises
  • Two trauma bays
• Child-friendly waiting area with Austin’s Playroom
• Rooftop helipad for transporting severely injured or ill patients

ER in State College

Mount Nittany Health’s emergency room is located on the first floor of Mount Nittany Medical Center. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.