Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center has provided emergency medical services to the community since 1976.  Along with 24-hour emergency care, laboratory, radiology and security services are also available around the clock.

Services are provided by physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, emergency room technicians, laboratory and radiology technicians, and medical receptionists.  In addition, a psychologist is available on a part time basis to assist with patients who have important behavioral health issues such as family trauma, substance abuse, or for those in need of crisis intervention due to suicide attempts.  Medical receptionist responsibilities include supporting uninsured patients in securing sliding fee scale coverage or medical coverage under QUEST/Medicaid.  HELP (health emergency liaison personnel) are on-call to provide assistance to families who are experiencing a crisis due to a serious injury or death of a family member.

The emergency department is made up of four exam rooms, a two-bed critical care room, and a minor surgery room that doubles as an emergency labor and delivery area, and is equipped with a neonatal warmer and neonatal heart monitor, as well as a child/adult heart monitor, defibrillator, pacer, IV infusers, and ventilator.  The emergency department can provide, for example, much of the latest airway management supplies, neonatal resuscitation supplies, and the latest thrombilytics (clot busters) for use in patients having a heart attack. 

Designed with a helipad on its front lawn, severe trauma patients are stabilized through the emergency department and can be transported via ambulance or a medical assistance helicopter to another medical facility for continued care. 

The Health Center’s participation and role in the statewide Emergency Medical System is substantial.  Emergency department and administrative staff are active members in the Health Care Association of Hawaii, regularly updating and coordinating with other hospitals and members for disaster preparedness.  The Health Center stays abreast to new dangers faced in regards to homeland security, bio-terrorism and possible pandemics such as the Avian Bird Flu.  The emergency department is disaster-ready due to the fact that:

• We are connected to the (Statewide) Emergency Management computer, which connects all the hospitals and the EMS system.
• We have mass casualty/disaster gear issued to us through the Health Care Association.
• We have a command structure in place in case of a disaster (phone roster, hand held radios, mass casualty triage area)

See below for a list of Emergency Care providers.