Sometimes an emergency is obvious, but not always. Use these six questions to help make the best decision about where to go for your care.
Most of us know what to do in a medical emergency. Call 911 when someone is having a life-threatening health problem. Also call if they can’t get to the emergency room (ER) without an ambulance. We also know to call our primary care provider (PCP) about smaller things, such as:
But what about when it’s outside normal office hours and you’re in pain? Or if you need medical care fast?
It can be hard to know whether some conditions or symptoms are life threatening or not. Even if you know what’s wrong, you might wonder if you should head to the ER in the middle of the night.
Multiple places besides the ER can give care. Making the right choice can save you time and money.
Another option is an urgent care center. These are great for minor illnesses and injuries. It may make sense to visit an urgent care center for:
Still not sure where to go? Ask yourself the questions below to help you decide.
You don’t have to decide where to go on your own. Many PCP offices let you talk to a physician even after hours. They are good to call because they already know your health history.
Some PCPs have a phone recording that offers a way to reach the provider on call. Don’t be afraid to use it. Your question is the exact reason someone is on call. You can explain your symptoms and ask questions. The provider can tell you whether you should visit the ER or urgent care. They may also suggest waiting to see your usual PCP.
Maybe you can’t reach anyone at your PCP’s office. Or maybe you feel you need the ER right away. Answering “yes” to the above question means it’s time for emergency care. It’s known as the “prudent layperson standard,” says Bradley J. Uren, MD, an emergency medicine expert.
It explains that if a person without medical knowledge believes their health is at risk without immediate care, they should consider it an emergency, says Dr. Uren.
The ER is the best option for when you need care quickly for:
If you are having a mental health crisis, you can call 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also text 988. Or you can chat with a counselor at 988lifeline.org.
If you think you may need surgery or have a broken bone, you may need the ER. Most other health concerns can be taken care of in urgent care or at your PCP’s office.
You can use your Blue KC Care Management app to track your health goals, search our resource library, chat with licensed nurses and healthcare workers, and more. Download it today to get started.
These are important questions to think about before you’re in a possible emergency. Talk with your PCP about them. During your next appointment, ask what conditions you may be at risk for and what symptoms to watch out for. Work with your PCP to make a plan. Use this plan so you know what to do if you have mild but concerning symptoms.
Symptoms don’t have to be severe to be an emergency. Say you can’t hold your phone normally. Hand weakness may seem small, but it’s a sign of a stroke. If it comes with other symptoms of a stroke, like slurred speech or face drooping, you need to head to the emergency room ASAP.
On the other hand, some severe symptoms might not need emergency care. This may be the case if you’ve had them before. Take the symptoms of a panic attack. These include:
These symptoms are the same as a heart attack. This seems scary, but panic attacks usually aren’t dangerous. This is good to know if you get panic attacks often. It could save you a trip to the ER.
What if you’re just not sure what your symptoms might mean? Call your provider or head to the ER. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
The start of symptoms might not tell you whether your condition is severe enough for the ER. If things get worse quickly, that can be a sign. Appendicitis is a good example. If it needs emergency surgery, you might have symptoms that worsen over hours or a few days.
Ideally, you’ve already talked to someone at your PCP’s office about how to watch your condition. “When I talk to someone on the phone who is having shortness of breath, I can tell when it’s a big deal,” says family physician Jennifer L. Brull, MD. “If you can speak a full sentence without taking a breath, you might want to go to urgent care. But if it turns into gasping for breath every few words, then you need the emergency department.”
Don’t ignore the little voice inside you that says something serious is going on. If you can take a few minutes to call your PCP’s office, do so. But also keep in mind that gut feelings may be another way to know you need the emergency room. “Nobody should ever delay emergency care if they believe their life, limbs, or organs are at risk,” says Dr. Brull.
Be sure to plan as much as possible. This is true for both the ER and urgent care. Bring your insurance card and a list of your medications and allergies.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of websites and apps that help track your health history,” Dr. Brull says. Your health plan comes with the Blue KC Care Management app, a digital health management mobile app that helps you store and share your medical history. When you’re not feeling well, these apps can help make sure you have all the important information, Dr. Brull adds.
Article source:
Prudent layperson standard: American College of Emergency Physicians
