Healthy Living: Know Where to Go for Care

By Ivannette Juarbe-Ramos On Sep 19, 2024

No one expects to become sick or injured. This could be anything from the flu to needing stitches to emergency care. No matter the illness or injury, you will need to decide where to seek medical care. Not every ailment warrants an emergency department visit. In fact, many ailments or injuries can be treated at your primary care physician’s office or a walk-in care center. The emergency department should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies. Knowing where to go will help you seek the care you need in a timely manner. Here are some tips to help you decide where you should receive care when you need it:

If you feel sick, call your primary care physician. Common conditions treated by a primary care physician include flu or cold symptoms; fever; stomach viruses; abdominal pain; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; urinary tract infection; runny nose; sore throat; earache; sprains and strains; back pain; cuts and scrapes; tick bites; minor injuries, lacerations, or burns; small bone fracture (fingers or toes); or panic attacks and anxiety symptoms.

If you are having a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Please, only drive yourself if you can do so safely. This includes, but is not limited to, if you are having: trouble breathing or chest pain; sudden weakness or difficulty speaking; uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain, or serious injury.

If you are unsure about where to go for care, call your primary care physician and describe your symptoms to find out what to do. If the office is closed, the answering service will be able to connect you to a clinician who can provide instructions on what to do. 

Prepare now for unplanned ailments and injuries. If you do not have one already, establish a relationship with a primary care provider now so you have this relationship established when needed. It is also important to locate the nearest walk-in care center and hospital to ensure you know where to go if needed. 

About the Author: Ivannette Juarbe-Ramos, MD, is the chair of Primary Care Services for Valley Medical Group. For more information about primary care at Valley, please visit ValleyHealth.com/Primary Care. For more information about The Valley Hospital Emergency Department, please visit ValleyHealth.com/Emergency.

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