Emergency and Trauma Services

File of Life

If you have a life-threatening emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services provides emergency and trauma care at two locations:

• Penrose Hospital 2222 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO  80907 (map)

• St. Francis Medical Center, 6001 E. Woodmen Rd., Colorado Springs, CO  80923 (map)

If you're not sure if you need emergent/trauma care, the following warning signs, provided by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), indicate a medical emergency:

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure

• Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness

• Changes in vision

• Confusion or changes in mental status

• Any sudden or severe pain

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

• Coughing or vomiting blood

• Suicidal feelings

• Difficulty speaking

Children have unique medical problems and may display different symptoms than adults. Symptoms that are serious for a child may not be as serious for an adult. Children may also be unable to communicate their condition, which means an adult will have to interpret the behavior. Always get immediate medical attention if you think your child is having a medical emergency.

For minor illness and injury such as fevers, ear infections, sore throat, flu, and sprains, please visit one of our urgent care locations. 

Emergency Care
The emergency departments at Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center are open 24/7 and are staffed by highly skilled emergency medicine physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, emergency technicians, and laboratory, radiology and pulmonary medicine professionals. In response to every emergency, our emergency care team provides the broadest spectrum of care on the spot; striving always to give that personal, loving touch.  The emergency care department at St. Francis Medical Center is the only full-service emergency department in northern El Paso County.

Trauma Center and Flight for Life Services
The Level II Trauma Center at Penrose Hospital provides comprehensive trauma services around-the-clock for individuals 16 years and older who require immediate treatment for complex, life-threatening emergencies. Our team of trauma physicians, surgeons and specially trained nurses and other medical professionals respond immediately and meet patients at the door.

The Level IV Trauma Center at St. Francis Medical Center is the home base for Flight for Life Colorado air ambulance helicopter service and the Maternal/Child transport team.  

Ranked by HealthGrades as #1 in Colorado for Overall Critical Care for 2010, we are also part of the state's largest network of care, with a system of interconnected emergency and trauma resources including Flight for Life.