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September 25, 2008 at 3:18 am #588178
kennemMemberWe’re recent transplants to West Seattle (and loving it). For emergency-planning, where’s our nearest hospital? Is Harborview really the closest?
We see that West Seattle is well-supplied with psychiatric and animal hospitals (great! we have a psycho cat – we can take him to either one) but we’re surprised about the apparent lack of emergency medical services. What happens when the West Seattle bridge collapses in the next big quake?
September 25, 2008 at 3:24 am #641100
DianeParticipantthat question came up at the Alki Community meeting a few months back, while discussing emergency preparedness; even the longtime residents didn’t have a good answer
September 25, 2008 at 3:25 am #641101
IrukandjiParticipantHave your home kit ready!
Harborview is fantastic for trauma and neuro emergencies, but for things like a broken arm or food poisoning you’re likely to get quicker service and a comfier waiting room from Virgina Mason or Swedish. All are well respected.
September 25, 2008 at 3:28 am #641102
angelescrestParticipantSwedish ER’s good (bridge to 5 N. to James). With a metabolic kid, we’re in Children’s often–and in a VERY urgent way; can get there in 20 minutes on a clear day, and 23rd’s a straight run to either UW or Children’s if the 5 is packed. We were told that a motor boat would be handy in an emergency…ha.
September 25, 2008 at 3:42 am #641103
SueParticipantPost #10 in this thread had some of the most helpful info on the different hospitals:
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum/topic.php?id=100
From personal experience, my husband had me drive him to Swedish in Issaquah when he had an emergency. It’s pretty much an emergency room in an office park (won’t be a full hospital until 2012, I think), and even though it was further away mileage-wise than other places, it was an off hour and we just flew on I-90 all the way out. We were taken back about 3 minutes after we arrived. The people there couldn’t have been nicer. Here’s their info:
September 25, 2008 at 4:22 am #641104
goodgracesParticipantDitto Sue’s reply. We’ve been to the Issaquah Urgent Care clinic twice, once for a bad burn and another time for a finger that needed stiches. They rocked — quick in, quick to be seen. No hassles.
September 25, 2008 at 4:27 am #641105
angelescrestParticipantHow long of a drive to Issaquah?
September 25, 2008 at 4:32 am #641106
herongrrrlParticipantWow, all the way to Issaquah for emergency care? If I needed a non-trauma ER during rush hour, I’d just go to Highline in Burien. I live near Alki and if I take Beach Drive, Marine View Drive and Ambaum I can get there in about 20 minutes–same as it would take to get to Pill Hill under decent traffic conditions.
September 25, 2008 at 4:54 am #641107
SueParticipantGoogle maps says that it’s 19 miles from my house to Swedish Issaquah, and estimates that it’s 26 minutes to get there, 45 in traffic. I believe it took us half an hour or less.
The reason we chose to go there was that my husband (who has crappy insurance) was told that he could only go to Swedish or Harborview through his insurance. We called Harborview and Swedish (downtown) and they had very significant waits. Since it was for stitches and not a true emergency like a heart attack (in which case we could’ve gone anywhere), we decided to go to Swedish in Issaquah.
The ridiculous part of this is that he initially called insurance to find the nearest urgent care he could go to – we didn’t need to be going to the ER for a few stitches in his foot – and he was told the nearest urgent care in network was in Tacoma! Let’s just say I’m glad I’m not in his insurance.
September 25, 2008 at 5:42 am #641108
AnonymousInactiveAs was mentioned in the link to previous thread, Swedish has 2 ER’s about 7 blocks apart.
Swedish First Hill-747 Broadway and
Swedish Cherry Hill-500 17th Avenue
Cherry Hill is smaller and a little off the beaten path. Have used more than once, as recently as this week. 15 minute drive. Well treated.
September 25, 2008 at 6:09 am #641109
GenHillOneParticipantWith all due respect to Sue..if it’s a true emergency like a heart attack, please don’t “go” anywhere, call 911. I’m sure that’s what she meant ;)
Seattle was just voted best place to survive a heart attack in the country (again) and it’s because of the awesome Medic One folks.
September 25, 2008 at 6:59 am #641110
JanSParticipantMedic One is incredible. 12 years ago when I was having chest pains, daughter called 911, and 2 fire engines and a Medic One were there in about 3 minutes. It wasn’t anything to do with my heart, so they left, and I was taken to Harborview in anothr ambulance. Once all this work starts on the viaduct, I think Highline may be the place to go. It’s 20 minutes via 509, and a decent hospital.
I will second JT’s suggestion…if you have to go to Swedish, go to the Cherry Hill campus, formerly Providence Hospital, at 16th and Cherry.(ER is located through a parking lot there, main entrance up by 17th) It’s a great little hospital if you have to stay.
September 25, 2008 at 6:50 pm #641111
marianneParticipantWe’ve had good experiences with Highline in Burien and you don’t have to cross the bridge to get there.
September 25, 2008 at 7:54 pm #641112
charlabobParticipantMy only ER experience/advice: Remember that *IF* they keep you, you’ll wind up in the hospital of the ER you select. Swedish First Hill ER was awesome — receptive, thorough; the hospital, after Swedish Ballard, was a major disappointment. Had I known I was going to stay, I’d have gone to Ballard :-) ymmv.
September 25, 2008 at 8:50 pm #641113
FranciParticipantSwedish First Hill ER would my first pick too.. I showed up there a few years ago, the ER was fairly full, and they had me in a room within a couple of minutes.. they were very responsive.
Depending upon what’s going on – its good to know where your doc practices too. My doc is associated with Swedish and since I ended up in emergency surgery at midnight – I was glad to be where she practiced..
September 26, 2008 at 2:18 am #641114
SueParticipantGenHillOne, yes, thanks for the clarification – I would definitely call 911 in an emergency. When I typed that, I was thinking that the insurance wouldn’t balk if we went anywhere for a life threatening emergency, not just the 2 “preferred” hospitals.
July 17, 2009 at 4:48 pm #641115
DJSonstengMemberSwedish actually has 4 E.R.’s with rumors of more to come. There is First Hill, Cherry Hill, Ballard, Issaquah. They are going to be putting in a full hospital on the highlands in Issaquah. I’ve heard rumors of a Mill Creek E.R. as well as A Maple Valley/ Covington area E.R.
July 17, 2009 at 7:45 pm #641116
Bikefor1MemberHad my appendectomy at Highline in ’04. Awesome experience. Care was top notch. Also, parking is easy and abundant for visitors. Can you say that about First Hill?
July 17, 2009 at 8:15 pm #641117
hammerheadParticipantHighline in burien NO bridge required. there are 2 one on sylvester/8th and one on military(this one does NOT take abulances) the one on sylvester/8th is very good. been there a few time lately with migranes not much of wait, i guess it helps when throwing up lol. oh well. i like it
July 18, 2009 at 2:11 am #641118
AlcinaParticipantHighline Medical Center is building a whole new ER which will open next year and be three times bigger than the one they have now. Info about it on the right side of their homepage http://www.highlinemedicalcenter.org/
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