By Kim White – Emergency Services Director – Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County
Sometimes, figuring out where to go for medical care can be tricky. Scheduling an appointment with your family medicine or primary care doctor isn’t always convenient, especially when you need to see a medical provider quickly. How can you tell if your symptoms are suited to a walk-in clinic (also known as an urgent care clinic) or warrant a visit to the emergency room or emergency department? The choice isn’t always clear, but there are ways to make it easier — and advantages to choosing a walk-in clinic, when appropriate.
The challenges of choosing: Medical conditions often share similar symptoms. As a result, it can be difficult recognizing whether a symptom is a life-threatening condition or something less serious. That, in turn, complicates the decision of where to seek care.
Many conditions that aren’t life-threatening can mimic those that are. Acid reflux can cause chest pain, which can lead people to worry they may be having a heart attack.
Overreliance on online information can cause confusion about where to go for care. Internet research from an unreliable source can cause people to believe a minor condition is life-threatening.
When to go to the ER: If an injury or symptom seems life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest ER right away. When in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Symptoms warranting an ER visit include chest pain or pressure, as they can indicate a heart attack. Uncontrolled bleeding is also a reason to visit the ER, where providers have quick access to lab tests, blood products, and procedures. Seizures should be treated in the ER if the patient hasn’t had them before, or if medications to treat a seizure aren’t effective.
Additional symptoms and conditions for which you should visit the ER include:
- Choking
- Deep laceration
- Electric shock
- Fainting
- Head, neck, or spine injury
- High fever that doesn’t get better after taking medicine
- Possible broken bone
- Possible poisoning or overdose
- Severe allergic reaction
- Severe burn
- Severe pain, especially in the stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Stroke symptoms, such as sudden confusion, vision changes, or weakness on one side of the body
- Vomiting or diarrhea that won’t stop
When to visit a walk-in clinic: Not every illness or injury needs emergent care. When a symptom or condition isn’t an emergency, but you want to see a medical provider quickly, a walk-in clinic may be a great option. Providers at these clinics can care for a variety of common, non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, including:
- Common colds
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Earaches
- Flu
- Low-grade fevers
- Minor burns
- Minor cuts requiring stitches
- Minor rashes
- Nausea
- Sinus infections
- Sore throats
- Sprains and strains
- Urinary tract infections
- Vomiting
If you’ve had symptoms for a few days, you should go to a walk-in clinic because the symptoms haven’t required emergent care. Patients sometimes visit the ER with sinus symptoms and a cough they’ve had for four days. The symptoms aren’t getting worse, but they also aren’t getting better. That’s when it would be appropriate to go to a walk-in clinic or see your primary care provider.
Advantages of a Walk-In Clinic: Seeking care at a walk-in clinic can be more convenient and cost-effective than going to the ER. Walk-in clinic wait times are often shorter, and care is typically less expensive. Plus, most clinics have access to lab tests and basic imaging exams or can refer patients for both.
Another advantage of visiting a walk-in or your primary care provider? Helping to keep the ER clear for those who truly need it.
For more on this and all Sweetwater Memorial has to offer, go to sweetwatermemorial.com.
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