Emergency/Trauma Services
Emergency Department
The Emergency Department at UPMC Passavant — McCandless is a modern, spacious, and patient-friendly facility featuring 24 treatment rooms including special rooms for cardiac, orthopaedic, gynecological, and pediatric emergencies. Staffed by highly-trained physicians and nurses, our Emergency Department also has access to specialists who are on-call 24-hours a day.
Stroke Telemedicine Program
For a patient who has had a stroke, every minute counts. UPMC Passavant has partnered with the UPMC Stroke Institute to implement a stroke telemedicine system to help assess potential stroke patients and deliver timely treatment. This system uses state-of-the-art videoconferencing technology to link experts at the UPMC Stroke Institute to Emergency Department (ED) physicians at both UPMC Passavant hospital campuses. These special units feature a computer monitor and remote-controlled camera and allow for two-way audio/video communication with stroke experts, who are able to "see" and assess the patient; ask questions of the patient, family members, and doctors; and view CT scans – all in real-time – to help assess the patient’s condition and help ED physicians determine if the patient is a candidate for acute stroke therapy.
Chest Pain Center
Located in the hospital's Emergency Department of UPMC Passavant — McCandless, the Chest Pain Center allows emergency physicians to observe and evaluate chest pain patients to determine whether or not they are having a heart attack.
The goal is to provide patients with the appropriate tests, monitoring, and medical evaluation so that an accurate diagnosis may be determined. At times, the use thrombolytic (anti-clogging) medications may be used to help those having a heart attack.
Emergency Dispatch Center
UPMC Passavant — McCandless serves as the home for NORCOM, the medical command center for six emergency medical service (EMS) agencies including:
- McCandless/Franklin Park
- Ross/West View
- Cranberry
- Richland
- Quality
- Shaler
The center is responsible for dispatching ambulances throughout the nine communities in the North Hills, responding to more than 15,000 ambulance calls per year. This center provides a vital link between the hospital and paramedics at emergency scenes.
Office of Prehospital Care
This office provides and oversees the training, credentialing, and continuing education of nearly 100 paramedics. UPMC Passavant partners with the Community College of Allegheny County to provide the training. If you would like more information about this program, contact the office of Prehospital Care at 412-367-6308 or training coordinator Rick Hilinski at 412-237-2500.
Lifeline, a personal response system, also is managed by Prehospital Care.