Benson Emergency Services

The Emergency Department at CentraCare - Benson is staffed 24/7 by specially trained emergency professionals.

All emergency room staff have specialized training to assess trauma, heart attack and stroke symptoms, and administer life-saving treatment. When advanced care is needed, the hospital aims to get patients to specialized facilities within 60 - 90 minutes.

Why Choose Benson for Emergency care?

CentraCare – Benson has immediate, virtual access to a team of physicians and nurses who specialize in emergency medicine through eEmergency. This collaborative approach to emergency care allows local staff to focus on patient care with additional support during multiple emergencies.

What to Expect

CentraCare – Benson Emergency Department can be accessed easily from the circle drive in the front of the hospital on Wisconsin Avenue. Upon arrival, a separate Emergency Entrance at the front of the building makes it easy to seek care quickly. When entering the locked vestibule a call button should be pressed to enter the facility. A member of our staff will greet you and evaluate your condition. This is known as "triage," and it helps us determine who is in the most urgent need of care.

Heart Attack Care

As soon as you dial 911 with possible heart attack symptoms, team springs into action 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. In the Emergency Room, our emergency team will:

  • Complete needed tests
  • Monitor heart attack symptoms
  • Administer medications (pain medication, clot busting drugs)
  • Arrange for air transportation to a heart care hospital if advanced care is needed

Our goal is to have you to a specialty heart care service within 90 minutes of coming to our Emergency Room.

Emergency Stroke Care

Every 45 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke, and every 3 minutes, someone dies of one. The first hour is the most critical in diagnosis and treatment. Immediate attention at the first signs of a stroke can save lives and prevent permanent damage.

As an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital, we’re taking actions that can save lives. Through video conferencing technology, our Telestroke program brings a stroke specialist into the hospital’s emergency department 24 hours a day.

When you dial 911 with possible stroke symptoms, our team prepares for your arrival. Our stroke team will:

  • Connect electronically with a stroke neurologist at St. Cloud Hospital
  • Complete needed tests
  • Complete a head CAT scan
  • Evaluate stroke symptoms with the stroke neurologist
  • Administer clot busting medications, if appropriate
  • Arrange for air transportation if advanced care is needed

Our goal is to begin treatment in the Emergency Room within 90 minutes of symptom onset

Time Loss = Brain Loss

Recognize stroke symptoms. Access emergency care immediately as soon as you notice:

  • A changed smile
  • An inability to raise both arms
  • Changed speech pattern

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
To reach CentraCare – Benson Emergency Department, call 320-320-843-4232.

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