Emergency room in Derry, New Hampshire

Parkland Medical Center's top priority is making sure you get the compassionate care and comfort you need quickly. Our ER offers:

  • 24/7 full-service emergency care
  • Access to our Level III Trauma Center
  • An Accredited Chest Pain Center
  • Dedicated Certified Emergency Nurses (CENs)
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Intensive care services
  • Pediatric emergency services
  • Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE)
  • Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center
If you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency, call 911.

ER symptom checker

The following symptom checker will help you decide if you should get immediate ER care or make an appointment with your primary care doctor.

The flu virus is very common and does not normally require a visit to the ER. But, for the high-risk populations listed below, it can be very serious:

  • Infants
  • People 65 years old and older
  • Pregnant women
  • People with certain diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • People with weakened or compromised immune systems

Signs that you should go to the ER with the flu include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Vomiting that can’t be controlled, to the point of severe loss of body fluids (dehydration)
  • If you develop complications such as pneumonia

Still not sure? Consult our cold/flu/stomach flu symptoms chart for more information.

Stomach pain is the most common reason patients visit the ER. Everyone experiences stomach pain at some point. It can result from a variety of causes and occur in varying degrees of severity. So when is your pain serious enough to go to the emergency room?

You should seek immediate medical attention if your stomach pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

  • Stomach is hard and/or tender to the touch
  • Persistent nausea or vomiting
  • Inability to eat without nausea or vomiting
  • Pain in your chest, neck or shoulder
  • Shortness of breath or dizziness
  • High fever
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Dark or black stool
  • Vomit contains blood

Respiratory distress can be the result of chronic conditions, like asthma or emphysema, or something more serious, such as heart failure. Signs that you should seek emergency medical treatment include:

  • Breathing stops
  • Severe shortness of breath that affects your ability to function
  • Noisy, high-pitched and rapid wheezing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Inability to speak comfortably and sustain voice while at rest
  • Breathing difficulties when you lie flat
  • Breathlessness that doesn’t stop after 30 minutes of rest
  • Or if your trouble breathing is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

    • Back or arm pain
    • Pain or tightness in chest
    • Extreme fatigue
    • Swelling in your feet and ankles
    • High fever, chills and cough

Call 911 right away if you have chest pain that is crushing or squeezing and comes with any of these symptoms:

  • Sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain that spreads from the chest to the neck, jaw or arms
  • Lightheadedness
  • Fast or irregular pulse
  • Signs of shock

Signs of a heart attack may show up in other ways in women, and may include:

  • Unusual fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Discomfort in your gut
  • Discomfort in the neck, shoulder or upper back

A concussion or any injury to the head can be very serious. If you have hit your head and have any of these symptoms, you should go to the ER:

  • Loss of consciousness, even briefly
  • Any period of amnesia or loss of memory of the event
  • Slurred speech
  • Feeling dazed or confused
  • Worsening or severe headache
  • Vomiting
  • Seizure

Most people will experience pain in their side or abdomen at some point in their lives, and it’s usually only temporary. However, severe side pain can be an indication of something serious.

If you have severe pain, especially in your lower right stomach, side or back, or if your pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical treatment:

  • Fever
  • Dizziness
  • Persistent nausea or vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Blood in the urine or pain during urination or have had a recent urinary tract infection (UTI)

Severe pain lasting only a few seconds may be nothing to worry about unless it’s reoccurring. If severe pain persists for more than a few minutes you should seek medical attention regardless of other symptoms.

Some common diagnoses may include:

  • Urological issues, such as a kidney infection, kidney stones or a bladder infection Appendicitis
  • Ovarian cyst
  • Side pain can be an indication of a number of different medical conditions. If the pain is severe, it’s important to get it checked out by a medical professional.
To learn whether your symptoms require an ER visit, our nurses are available 24/7. Call (877) 642-2362.

Heart attack treatment

A heart attack, or lack of blood supply to the heart, can be fatal if not treated promptly. Call 911 if you recognize the symptoms of a heart attack in yourself or a loved one.

Stroke treatment

A stroke is a sudden loss of blood supply to the brain. This is a life-threatening condition, and quick stroke treatment is vital to minimizing neurological damage. If you recognize the symptoms of a stroke in yourself or a loved one, call 911 immediately.

Pediatric emergency care

We understand that nothing is quite as stressful as when your child needs emergency care. The doctors and nurses at Parkland’s pediatric-ready ER are trained to care for children and address their unique needs. We also understand the role you play in your child’s health and prioritize your involvement in developing a treatment plan.

If your child is experiencing an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Our pediatric-friendly ER features:

  • Board-certified emergency medicine physicians who are trained in both adults and children
  • Nurses with special training and certification in pediatric care
  • A pediatric medication management system that allows us to improve the speed, accuracy and administration of medications, reduce medical errors and standardize pediatric medication dosing
  • Advanced technology designed for children and young adults

What to expect at our ER

We make each emergency visit as quick and comfortable as possible, and we also offer urgent care in Salem, New Hampshire, for less serious illnesses and injuries.

When you get to Parkland's ER, you’ll go through these steps:

  • A triage nurse will ask you about your symptoms and take some vital signs.
  • A registration clerk will get information for your medical records and insurance.
  • You'll be medically screened, evaluated and stabilized regardless of your insurance or ability to pay.

Patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries are treated first, followed by seriously ill or unstable patients. All others are seen in the order they arrived.

To check wait times for the HCA Healthcare ER closest to you, text “ER” to 32222 (message and data rates may apply).

Bring these items with you to the ER:

  • Care preferences or restrictions
  • Copies of results from any recent medical tests
  • List of known medical allergies
  • List of medicines you take or the actual medicines
  • List of recent medical procedures
  • Emergency contact phone numbers

Before you go home, you’re encouraged to ask any questions about your care. Keep all your paperwork, discharge instructions and medicines. Contact your primary care provider after you visit our ER, or ask us about finding a primary care provider for you. We’ll give your primary physician a copy of your ER visit summary.