Emergency Department of UMC of El Paso

UMC Emergency Services

University Medical Center of El Paso’s Emergency Department is among El Paso’s busiest. Annually, approximately 60,000 patients seek treatment here. The Emergency Department was expanded to include multiple stand-alone trauma bays, greatly increasing the capacity of the hospital to care for the region's trauma patients.

The Region's Only Level I Trauma Center

UMC's Scherr Legate Level 1 Trauma Center is the only Level 1 trauma facility within a 280-mile radius of El Paso. That means UMC is the only hospital in the region to meet the stringent requirements established by the State of Texas and the American College of Surgeons for U.S. Trauma Centers where specialists are available in life-threatening situations 24-hours-a-day, every day.

Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA)

UMC's Emergency Department achieved a Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) in 2024 from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), emphasizing UMC’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of care for our community’s older adult patients.

The GEDA program is a national initiative that recognizes hospitals equipped to handle complex health issues among older patients.

To obtain this accreditation, UMC’s Emergency Departments at the UMC Main Campus and satellite emergency departments in East and Northeast El Paso, implemented specialized geriatric training for staff and screenings to identify potential risks in patients, such as cognitive impairment and fall risks.

UMC’s Emergency Departments offer a safe and comfortable environment with fall-prevention measures in place, as well as a coordinated discharge plan for patients to have a safe transition from our emergency departments to their home.