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Choosing the Right Healthcare Option
With so many options to receive fast, immediate care, choosing the right provider when you need it can seem confusing. You may often find yourself wondering, “Should I go to urgent care for this? Do I need immediate care? Or should I schedule an appointment?”
In recognition of Trauma Awareness Month, the providers at Culbertson Memorial Hospital urge you to make safe choices to reduce the number of serious injuries and illnesses in our communities. However, should you find yourself wondering where you need to go for healthcare, this helpful guide can help determine the most appropriate provider to get the care you need when you need it.
When to visit the ED
Open 24 hours, the emergency department can often seem like the most convenient place to receive after-hours care. However, visiting the ED for minor injuries or illnesses can result in long waits for you and other patients. Unless you’ve been instructed otherwise by a healthcare professional, ED visits should only be reserved for any of the following illnesses, injuries, or conditions:
- 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
When to visit your primary care provider
Your primary care provider is your best option for non-life-threatening illnesses or ongoing medical conditions. No one in healthcare knows you better — your primary care provider has your file readily available and knows your medical history. In addition to minor illnesses, contact your primary care provider for any of the following:
- Annual health screenings
- Anxiety, depression, and mood disorders
- Chronic illnesses or conditions
- Immunizations
- Male and female exams
- Newborn, infant, and adolescent care
- Physicals
- Preventative care and wellness checks
When to visit urgent care
Of course, sickness and injuries usually don’t revolve around your primary care provider’s schedule. When you need immediate care for minor illnesses and injuries after hours, urgent care is your best option. Urgent care providers can diagnose and treat non-life-threatening conditions when your primary care provider’s office is closed, including any of the following:
- Abrasions
- Allergies
- Colds and flu
- Earaches
- Fevers
- Insect bites, rashes, and minor abscesses
- Minor back pain
- Minor breaks, sprains, and strains
- Minor burns
- Minor eye infections
- Stomach pain
- UTIs and STDs
- Vomiting and diarrhea