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When to Visit the ED (Not for a COVID Test)
Sometimes when we need fast, immediate care, the Emergency Department at your local hospital may seem like the best option. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it’s the perfect place to go when you need care right away, right?
Well, not exactly. Unfortunately, the number of COVID-19 cases increasing across the country has put an enormous strain on hospitals — and subsequently, Emergency Departments (ED’s). While many patients feel compelled to get tested for COVID-19 at their local hospital, doing so can have negative consequences for other patients requiring emergency care.
A growing problem
In Illinois, hospitals reported a rolling average of 898.43 new hospital admissions over a seven-day period, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Schuyler County alone reported 317 cases from Jan. 3-16, according to data from The New York Times and Google.
This sharp increase in the number of cases has put pressure on hospitals around the state — including Culbertson Memorial Hospital. As patients come into the ED to get tested for COVID-19, they create longer waits for other patients as well as pulling resources from critically ill patients.
When to visit the ED
That said, if you need emergency care, then you should absolutely visit the ED. The problem is the term “emergency” can be a subjective term from person to person. So, how do you know for sure when you should visit the ED?
Generally, visits to the ED should be reserved only for matters of life and/or limb or systemic illnesses or conditions — that is, severe illnesses prohibiting the entire body from functioning, such as a fever that won’t break or acute, debilitating pain. Symptoms warranting an ED visit can include:
- Severe breathing problems or shortness of breath, including choking
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest, left arm, or left jaw
- Severe burns and cuts (i.e., cuts that won’t close or stop bleeding)
- Seizures
- Severe allergic reactions
- Stroke symptoms, including slurred speech, sudden numbness or weakness in any part of the body, facial drooping, or sudden loss of balance or vision
- Sudden confusion or dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Traumatic injuries or possible broken bones
- Vaginal bleeding if pregnant or bleeding through more than one pad per hour for several hours in a row accompanied by symptoms of lightheadedness or dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, or chest pain
Less severe illnesses, conditions, or injuries may warrant a visit to an urgent care clinic, which can also provide testing for COVID-19. Visit an urgent care clinic if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Fevers, colds, and flu symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Strains, sprains, or simple breaks (i.e., when a bone or limb isn’t pointed in the wrong direction)
- Minor cuts
- Mild asthma attacks
- Pain while urinating
Though urgent care clinics can provide near-immediate care when you need it, visiting your primary care provider is usually your best option. Your primary care providers know your medical history, including pre-existing or chronic conditions and what medication you have taken or are taking. Your primary care provider can also test for COVID-19 as well as administer vaccines and boosters.
Testing for COVID-19 is also available at area pharmacies through online scheduling or over the counter, self-test kits. Please contact your local pharmacy for availability.