“Sometimes people think their sore throat needs to be treated immediately, or a cut on their finger is life-threatening-but most of those things can be treated in a doctor’s office or at urgent care. Thoughtful decisions about where to go for medical care can save patients time and money. Head injuries, loss of vision or speech (signs of a stroke), chest pain, over dose, severe abdominal pain or severe bleeding or poisoning would warrant a visit to the emergency room.įor other conditions, it’s best to consider the appropriate place to receive care. Patients should always go to the nearest ER if they are having “acute or severe symptoms that would be expected to result in serious health consequences if not treated,’’ Hagstrom said.
It doesn’t mean that they don’t need medical attention, but a lot of things they come in with could be handled in other ways,” Hagstrom said. “I’d say at least half of our patients could be managed by a primary care physician or urgent care. Michelle Hagstrom, an emergency medicine physician at the UCHealth Emergency Room in Parker. Photo by Getty Images.Ī lot of folks choose the latter but maybe shouldn’t, said Dr. You believe you may need medical attention but do you know when to visit an urgent care, a primary care provider or head straight for the nearest ER? Knowing where to receive health care when you are injured or ill may save you time and money. All medical care options are not the same.
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