Emergency Room

Making the Best Choice: Emergency Room vs. Primary Care Doctor

What is an Emergency?

When something frightening happens, many times the initial response is to go to the emergency room.  Some conditions are obviously emergencies such as chest pains, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, or broken bones.  Some conditions feel awful such as coughs, colds, sore throat, headache, tootache, etc., but are not "true" emergencies.

What to Do?

THINK: Is my life in immediate danger or is this something my doctor could treat?

CALL: Phone your doctor.  He will help you make the right decision.  Your doctor's office is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for medical advice.

SAVE: Save trips to the emergency room for "true" emergencies.

It's better to use your primary care doctor's office for your routine medical care. They can look at all your medical needs, past, present, and future.