| Emergency and Urgent Care |
when to go to a primary care provider, urgent care or emergency department
when to seek primary care
If someone has a minor illness or injury, needs assistance with a chronic illness or needs a routine health exam or immunization, a primary care provider is the right choice.- Acute, minor, illnesses and injuries
- Chronic disease management
- Establish a primary care provider
- Exacerbation of a chronic medical condition
- Routine health exam or immunizations
- Sports, school, or employment physicals
When to Seek Urgent Care
If someone becomes ill or is injured and their condition does not pose an immediate, serious threat to their health or life, urgent care is the right choice
Urgent care clinics are ideal for treating conditions such as:
- Cold or flu symptoms
- Earache
- Fevers
- Foreign object in eye or nose
- Migraines
- Minor burns or bruises
- Minor Fracture
- Rash, poison ivy, allergic reaction
- Scrapes or minor cuts
- Sore throat
- Sprain
Click here for a list of MultiCare Urgent Care Centers.
When to Seek Emergency Care
If you think someone could suffer significant harm or die without prompt attention, seek emergency care--or call 911--immediately.
Emergency care is ideal for treating conditions such as:
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Deep cuts or bleeding that won’t stop
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Numbness in the face, arm, or leg
- Seizures
- Severe abdominal pain
- Severe burns
- Sudden blurred vision
- Sudden, severe headache
- Sudden dizziness, weakness, or loss of coordination or balance
Click here for a list of Emergency Departments.
Should I Drive to the Emergency Department or Call 911?
You should call 911 to get an ambulance if:
- The condition is life-threatening
- The injured person needs to be moved by medical personnel to prevent further injury
- The distance or traffic would cause a significant delay in getting to the hospital