What Happens When the Hospital Is Too Far Away?

By Saint Francis Health System Staff

When a health emergency strikes, the last thing you want to worry about is how far away help is. 

For residents of rural communities south of Tulsa, that peace of mind comes from a free-standing emergency department (FSED) right in Glenpool.

What Is a Free-Standing Emergency Department?

A free-standing emergency department offers the same 24/7 emergency care as a hospital-based ER — without being physically attached to a hospital. 

Saint Francis Glenpool operates as a licensed outpatient department of Saint Francis South, designed specifically to bring faster, high-quality care to areas with fewer in-person options.

The need is real. The U.S. Department of Agriculture tracked 146 rural hospital closures between 2005 and 2023. As smaller hospitals have become harder to sustain, the demand for emergency care hasn't slowed — it's grown. Since opening in 2018, Saint Francis Glenpool has gone from 14 patients a day to more than 60.

Faster Care When It Matters Most

In a medical emergency, every minute counts. An FSED like Saint Francis Glenpool offers rural patients more than just a shorter drive — it's faster access to the same quality care you'd find in any emergency department.

When a patient arrives with a suspected heart attack, the team can:

• Confirm it immediately with an electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Connect with a physician at the nearest cath lab
• Start an IV, draw blood and take x-rays — all at once
• Coordinate transfer to a higher level of care as needed, ensure continuity of care between FSED and destination hospital

Saint Francis Glenpool is also the only certified acute stroke ready emergency department in the area, making it a critical hub for the communities it serves.

Urgent Care or Emergency Room?

Not every situation requires an emergency department — but some absolutely do. If you're unsure where to go, ask yourself two questions:

1. Is this potentially life-threatening? If yes, go to the nearest ER or FSED. If no, urgent care can likely help.
2. Do I need more than an x-ray? Urgent care facilities can handle basic imaging, but CT scans and higher-level diagnostics are only available at an ER or FSED.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution. You can always be redirected — but getting the right level of care quickly can make all the difference.

Care Close to Home

Whether you walk in or arrive by ambulance, the Saint Francis Glenpool team is ready to meet you with fast, compassionate care. When it comes to an emergency, where you go matters.