Des Moines Trauma Centers and Emergency Rooms After an Accident

A Level I trauma center provides the highest level of surgical care for critically injured patients. These facilities maintain 24/7 staffing by trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and other specialists, with dedicated operating rooms, intensive care units, and advanced diagnostic equipment available around the clock.

UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center, 1200 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, IA 50309. Emergency: (515) 241-6212. Iowa Methodist is one of only two ACS-verified Level I adult trauma centers in the state of Iowa. It provides comprehensive capabilities for traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multi-system trauma, severe burns, and complex orthopedic injuries. The Iowa Clinic Trauma Surgery team provides 24/7 coverage at the facility.

Blank Children's Hospital, located on the Iowa Methodist campus at 1200 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, is an ACS-verified Level II pediatric trauma center. If a child is seriously injured in an accident in the Des Moines area, EMS will transport to this facility for specialized pediatric trauma care. Emergency: (515) 241-6212.

Under Iowa's Out-of-Hospital Trauma Triage protocol, EMS evaluates patients at the scene using specific criteria — including vital signs, mechanism of injury, and visible injuries. Patients who meet Level I triage criteria in the Des Moines metro are transported directly to Iowa Methodist Medical Center for definitive care.

A Level II trauma center provides comprehensive trauma care and can manage most trauma cases. These facilities have 24/7 trauma surgeon coverage and immediate access to orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and other surgical specialties. The key difference from Level I is the scope of research programs and subspecialty availability.

MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, 1111 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314. Emergency: (515) 247-3211. MercyOne Des Moines is an ACS-verified Level II adult trauma center providing comprehensive injury care from prevention through rehabilitation. The facility has 24/7 trauma surgeon coverage with immediate access to various surgical specialties.

MercyOne also operates MercyOne Children's Hospital, which provides pediatric emergency services. For the most critically injured pediatric patients, transfer protocols to Blank Children's Hospital (Level II pediatric) are in place.

MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center is designated as a Level IV trauma center. Level IV facilities provide initial evaluation, stabilization, and diagnostic capabilities. Patients with injuries that exceed Level IV capabilities are transferred to MercyOne Des Moines or Iowa Methodist for higher-level care.

Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience any of the following after an accident: loss of consciousness, even briefly; head impact, headache, confusion, dizziness, or vision changes (signs of concussion or traumatic brain injury); neck or back pain (possible spinal injury); difficulty breathing or chest pain; abdominal pain or tenderness (possible internal bleeding); numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in arms or legs; severe bleeding that does not stop with pressure; visible deformity of a limb (possible fracture or dislocation); or inability to bear weight on a leg.

Urgent care is appropriate for less severe injuries that still need prompt attention: minor cuts that may need stitches, minor sprains and strains, bruising, mild to moderate pain without the red-flag symptoms listed above. Des Moines metro urgent care options include MercyOne Urgent Care locations throughout the metro, UnityPoint Health Urgent Care clinics, and The Iowa Clinic Urgent Care locations.

When in doubt, go to the emergency room. The most dangerous injuries from car accidents — internal bleeding, traumatic brain injury, spinal fractures — may not produce obvious symptoms immediately. A thorough emergency room evaluation including imaging (CT scan, X-ray, MRI) can detect injuries that are invisible to the naked eye. The cost of an unnecessary ER visit is far less than the risk of missing a life-threatening injury.

If EMS transports you, the paramedics will relay your information to the ER staff during handoff. If you drive yourself or arrive by other means, check in at the front desk. Tell the triage nurse that you were in a car accident (or other type of accident) and describe all of your symptoms, even ones that seem minor. The triage nurse will assess your condition and assign a priority level.

A doctor will examine you and order appropriate imaging — X-rays for suspected fractures, a CT scan for head injuries or abdominal trauma, or an MRI for soft tissue and spinal injuries. Blood tests may be ordered to check for internal bleeding. Treatment depends on your injuries and may include pain management, wound care, splinting, or emergency surgery for severe cases.

Before you leave, ask for copies of all imaging reports, a discharge summary, and written instructions for follow-up care. Ask the ER doctor to document every symptom you reported, every area of pain, and every finding. This documentation is the foundation of your personal injury claim. If the doctor prescribes follow-up care with a specialist, schedule that appointment as soon as possible — do not wait.

Medical records are the single most important evidence in a personal injury claim — more important than the police report, witness statements, or photos. Iowa follows a modified comparative fault rule (Iowa Code § 668.3), which means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you recover nothing if you are 51% or more at fault. Your medical records must clearly establish that the other party's negligence caused your injuries.

Insurance adjusters look for three things in your medical records: (1) a clear connection between the accident and your injuries, documented by the treating physician; (2) consistent treatment from the ER through follow-up care, showing that your injuries required ongoing medical attention; and (3) objective findings from imaging, lab work, or physical examinations that corroborate your reported symptoms.

A gap in treatment — even a few weeks between the ER visit and your follow-up appointment — gives the insurance company an argument that your injuries were not serious enough to require ongoing care, or that something other than the accident caused your pain. Follow your doctor's treatment plan exactly. Attend every appointment. Do not skip physical therapy sessions. Every missed appointment is ammunition for the insurance adjuster.

Under Iowa law, you have the right to obtain copies of your medical records from any healthcare provider. To request records, contact the hospital's medical records department (also called Health Information Management). Most hospitals require a written authorization form signed by the patient.

Iowa Methodist Medical Center medical records can be requested by contacting UnityPoint Health's Health Information Management department at (515) 241-6212 (main line). MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center records can be requested by contacting their medical records department at (515) 247-3121 (main line). Each facility has specific forms and processes for records release.

Iowa law allows providers to charge reasonable fees for copying medical records — approximately $0.50 per page for the first 250 pages and $0.35 per page after that, plus a maximum of $15 for supplies and labor. Electronic copies may be provided at a lower cost. Most personal injury attorneys will handle medical records requests on your behalf at no upfront cost. If you are working with an attorney, provide them with the names and addresses of every healthcare provider you have seen since the accident.

The emergency room stabilizes your condition and identifies acute injuries, but it is not designed for ongoing treatment. Follow-up care is critical. Within 2 to 3 days of your ER visit, see your primary care physician or the specialist recommended by the ER doctor. Common follow-up referrals after car accidents include orthopedic surgeons (fractures, joint injuries), neurologists (concussion, traumatic brain injury), pain management specialists, and physical therapists (soft tissue injuries, rehabilitation).

If you do not have a primary care physician or health insurance, Des Moines has community health resources. Primary Health Care, Inc. operates multiple community health center locations in Des Moines, including the East Side Center at 1200 University Avenue, (515) 248-1500, providing medical care on a sliding fee scale regardless of ability to pay. These clinics can provide follow-up care and referrals to specialists.

Document every medical visit, every prescription, every out-of-pocket expense, and every day of work you miss because of your injuries. Keep a folder with all medical bills, pharmacy receipts, and records of lost wages. This documentation forms the basis of the damages calculation in your personal injury claim. Iowa's statute of limitations for personal injury is 2 years from the date of injury (Iowa Code § 614.1(2)), but building your medical documentation should start on day one.

If you were injured in an accident in Des Moines and have received medical treatment, take our free 60-second Injury Claim Check. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report that includes Iowa's filing deadline for your specific claim, an explanation of how comparative fault and your medical records affect your case, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense for your situation.

Your health comes first — always. But once you have started treatment, understanding your legal options is the next step. Our Injury Claim Check is free, confidential, and gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about what comes next.