Emergency Medicine (Acute Care)

Accidents or emergencies can happen at any time, particularly with children. At Lake Forest Hospital we offer responsive, high-quality emergency care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Staffed by experienced physicians, nurses and support technicians, our Level II trauma center at Lake Forest Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, private patient rooms, triage stations and a children’s playroom. A Level II designation means we are equipped to stabilize patients who have undergone major trauma. 

In the area of pediatric emergency care, Lake Forest Hospital holds a distinguished pediatric certification—Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics—awarded by Emergency Medical Services for Children in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health. This certification means we are equipped to provide superior emergency care to children in the form of preventative, acute and rehabilitative care.

Patients who come to the hospital should arrive at our Emergency Department entrance. You will be required to provide a medical history and a medication list on your child upon arrival. To reach the Emergency Department, please call (847) 535-6150.

Acute Care Center (Grayslake)

Staffed by the same board-certified emergency physicians, advanced life support technicians and nurses who provide skilled care at Lake Forest Hospital’s Emergency Room, our Grayslake Outpatient and Acute Care Center is equipped to provide a wide variety of health services for your child experiencing a non-life-threatening situation that need prompt attention. The facility, which is also equipped with advanced diagnostic technologies, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To reach the Acute Care Center, please call (847) 535-8950.

• Broken bone
• Severe sprain
• Minor burn
• Cut requiring stitches
• Foreign matter in eyes or ears
• High fever
• Skin rash
• Possible infection requiring lab tests; e.g., respiratory infection, strep throat

You should seek treatment for your child at an Emergency Department in the following situations: 

• Poisoning
• Abdominal pain with fever
• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
• Severe burns
• Excessive bleeding
• Dehydration
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Stroke
• Severe head wound
• Major trauma
• Amputation
• Difficulty breathing or bluish look around the mouth
• Sudden dizziness or weakness
• Seizures
• Possible suicide or mental disorder
• Foreign object swallowed or otherwise lodged in the body
• Severe and/or persistent vomiting

Call 9-1-1 if:

• Your child has a life threatening injury/illness
• Your child experiences head, neck or back trauma or other major trauma
• Your child needs medical attention before you can get to the hospital, or you have doubts about your ability to drive your child safely to the emergency room
• You have physical limitations preventing you from getting your child to the hospital