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Where to Go...Primary Care, Urgent Care or Emergency Room?

When you have choices about where you get your health care, how do you decide? It’s important to know — going to the right place can mean more appropriate care, a shorter wait and a smaller bill.

Primary Care
As its name suggests, "primary" care is designed to be your first point of contact for most health care concerns. "Primary care doctors have the most information about a patient’s medical history," says Craig Matticks, MD, medical director for North Memorial Medical Center’s Emergency Department.

"Routine health maintenance issues are best treated by the primary care doctor," says Dr. Matticks. Chronic health problems, like diabetes or heart disease, are best managed by a primary care physician as well, adds Dr. Matticks.

"The key to managing chronic conditions is the long-term view and continuity of care. Over time, primary care doctors are able to develop this important perspective and relationship with their patients."

Urgent Care
"If you think your concern is something that most likely could wait until tomorrow if it had to, it’s probably an urgent problem — not an emergent one," says Dr. Matticks.

"There are acute symptoms of problems like colds, allergies or back pain that optimally would be treated by your primary care doctor if you can get an appointment fairly quickly. Otherwise, urgent care is your next best choice.

"I think of urgent care as convenience care. If you think it could wait but you’d just like to take care of it now, consider using an urgent care center," says Dr. Matticks. "Urgent care centers are often open outside of normal business hours, are located in convenient places and do not require an appointment — all of which can be appealing to the health care consumer."

Emergency Department
Emergency Department (ED) staff are trained to take care of people who are experiencing real emergencies. Care in the ED is not first-come, first-served. "We treat the most seriously ill or injured first," says Dr. Matticks, meaning others may have to wait to get treated.

While an "emergency" is difficult to define, it might be described as a condition that is severe or represents an immediate threat to life or limb, such as:

  • Unresponsiveness
  • Seizures
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or pressure, especially if accompanied by dizziness, palpitations, excessive sweating or difficulty breathing
  • Sudden numbness or paralysis, blurred vision or loss of vision, difficulty speaking or confusion, any of which can be signs of a stroke
  • Severe pain or injury
  • Bizarre behavior
  • Poisoning or drug overdose
If you are concerned that you or a loved one is in need of emergency care — get to a hospital without delay and strongly consider calling 911.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Care Option

Primary Care Clinic

  • Strength: Most familiar with your medical history; established relationship with health care provider; can schedule a specific appointment time
  • Weakness: May not be available on demand (although many clinics offer same-day appointment scheduling)
  • Best for: Ongoing care, chronic disease management and many urgent problems

Urgent Care

  • Strength: Available quickly for urgent problems that can’t wait for a primary care appointment but aren’t severe enough for the Emergency Department
  • Weakness: Not as familiar with your medical history; may have to wait as you cannot schedule appointments; limited diagnostic and treatment options
  • Best for: Urgent concerns when you can’t get in to see your primary care doctor

Emergency Department

  • Strength: The most advanced care available; located in or near a hospital if more advanced care or hospitalization is required
  • Weakness: Wait times may be long; costs are higher; no established relationship with health care provider
  • Best for: Emergencies, when care absolutely cannot wait

North Memorial offers all three options:

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