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All of our local hospitals operate
emergency departments that remain open 24 hours. If you require
emergency care, you should proceed directly to your nearest
emergency department.
 The
Community Medical Center of Scranton (CMC) is a Regional Level-I
Trauma Center. Many specialists are available at this institution to
address specific emergency situations. CMC also maintains a constant
rotating “on-call” schedule for both Cardiovascular Diseases and
Interventional Cardiology. CMC boasts an impressive “door-to-needle”
time for emergency treatment of heart attacks, that Dr. Stafford
Smith participates in. They also operate a “heliport” on the roof of
the hospital building for rapid emergency transport in and out of
the facility.
Dr. Smith maintains admitting privileges at Community Medical
Center, Moses Taylor Hospital, and Mercy Hospital in Scranton; as
well as Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale.
If you believe that you or someone close to you requires emergency
care, dial “911” from your telephone, and request an ambulance to be
sent directly to your location to transport you to your nearest
emergency department. Then, dial our main office number (570)
586-0246 and inform our office staff or answering service (after
routine office hours) of your situation. Give all necessary
information to the telephone operator, including the complete name
of the patient, address from which the individual is being
transported, telephone number at that location (and any other
contact information – including cellular telephone number[s], where
a responsible individual can be reached), and the hospital
destination; so that Dr. Stafford Smith or another covering
“on-call” physician can be promptly alerted.
Chest discomfort, shortness-of-breath, dizziness, and losing
consciousness are symptoms that may indicate an unstable cardiac
situation (including heart attack or cardiac arrest). A patient who
appears diaphoretic (pale, sweaty, “cool and clammy”) may also be
experiencing cardiac compromise. Palpitations (a sense of your heart
beating irregularly) can be described as a “fluttering, pounding,
racing, or skipped beats” and may suggest a cardiac rhythm
disturbance. Weakness, numbness, visual or hearing disturbances, or
difficulty with speech may indicate an impending stroke. Any or all
off these symptoms should be promptly evaluated in the emergency
department; especially if they have occurred suddenly and
unexpectedly, are occurring more frequently, are lasting longer than
usual, or seem to be worsening in their severity. Patients that have
a history of “angina” who have been provided with a prescription for
nitroglycerin and are experiencing worsening chest discomfort should
promptly administer one dose of nitroglycerin to themselves. If the
discomfort does not resolve completely within five minutes with rest
and after administration of a single dose of nitroglycerin, dial
“911” immediately, as this also may indicate an impending heart
attack.
Have someone who is familiar with your medical history accompany you
to the emergency department, or arrange to have them meet you there.
If possible, bring a list of your medications and any available
medical records to the emergency department with you (or have your
companion bring them for you). Inform the emergency medical
technician when he/she arrives that you have a cardiac condition,
and are under the care of Dr. Stafford Smith. When you arrive, be
certain to inform all of the emergency department personnel
(admitting clerk, nurses, and emergency physicians) that Dr.
Stafford Smith is your cardiologist, so that he may be alerted when
you have arrived. Be prepared to sign appropriate hospital consent
forms for treatment upon arrival, and do your best to cooperate with
the skilled emergency treatment team.
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