Should I Go To the Emergency Department?
It is important to know that the Emergency Department does not work on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, patients are seen by severity of symptoms. So it is often much faster -- and an overall better use of medical resources -- to be seen at an Urgent Care clinic if you are not in a critical situation.
When to Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Department
Emergency departments are designed to treat the most critical medical needs 24/7. The Emergency Department should be used for medical emergencies such as:
- Symptoms of heart attack or stroke
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Choking
- Severe burns
- Seizures
- Neck, head or spine injuries
- Compound fractures
TIP: If you are not sure where to seek care and don’t believe your life in danger, we recommend calling your primary care office. Nearly all offices have a provider on call 24/7 who can discuss your symptoms and provide you with their professional recommendation on where to seek care.
When To Go to Urgent Care
Many Urgent Care facilities now offer imaging and testing capabilities similar to what you would find at a hospital. They are a great option for less severe, but still urgent, medical needs. Below are some examples of situations in which you would want to seek care at an urgent care clinic.
- Small cuts that may need stitches
- Minor fractures
- Sprains
- Flu or cold
- Sore throat
- Urinary tract infection (consider the ED if the patient is under 4 years old)
- Abdominal pain
- Sinus or ear infections
- Rashes
- Diarrhea
- Nausea, vomiting and stomach flu
- Minor allergic reactions
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
When To Go to Primary Care
When you believe your medical condition does not require immediate attention, calling your primary care office to schedule a sick visit is an excellent option. Many primary care offices offer same-day and next-day appointments, and some offer night and weekend hours. Consider scheduling a sick visit with your primary care office for symptoms such as:
- Sprains
- Flu or cold
- Sore throat
- Urinary tract infection
- Abdominal pain
- Sinus or ear infections
- Rashes
- Diarrhea
- Nausea, vomiting and stomach flu
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
We encourage you to take a moment to consider the best place to seek the care you need to ensure our emergency departments remain accessible to critical patients in need. Thank you!
