Right Care. Right Time. Know Where to Go.
It isn’t always easy to know what to do or where to go, especially when symptoms come on suddenly, but knowing where to go for medical care is a key part in being an informed healthcare consumer. Healthcare professionals want to provide patients with the best possible care in a convenient and timely manner. Take a few minutes and consider your options.
Primary Care – Your primary care physician is who you should call to schedule annual check-ups, such as routine screenings and immunizations or other non-urgent medical appointments. This is also a great place to get the flu vaccine annually. Your primary care physician knows your medical history and understands your overall health. Many primary care clinics even offer same-day appointments for those unexpected colds.
Urgent Care Clinics – Urgent Care clinics can handle a variety of medical problems and non-life-threatening illness that need to be treated right away but are not true emergencies. These clinics help fill a gap when you get sick or have a minor injury, but your regular doctor is unavailable or you can’t wait for an appointment.
Emergency Department – The emergency department is best for life-threatening illnesses or injuries that require immediate attention. If you think a situation is serious but aren’t sure it’s an emergency, call 911. It’s better to be safe than sorry. But if it’s not an emergency, choosing another care option could save you time and money.
Being prepared is an important part of being an informed healthcare consumer. Illnesses or injuries can happen when you least expect it. Taking steps to understand your options now will help you make a better decision should something happen. Knowing where to go for medical care is vital to ensuring the best possible health outcomes and, hopefully, reducing your stress.