Better Care at Lower Costs

Do I Need to Go to the Emergency Room?

Hospital emergency rooms (ERs) are set up to focus on medical emergencies. They are not set up to focus on routine health care. If you go to the ER for a problem that is not an emergency:

• You will probably spend a lot more time there than you would at a walk-in clinic or doctor's office.
• You will get care from a doctor who has probably never seen you before. It's always best to get as much of your care as you can from a doctor who knows and understands you.

Go to the ER if you think you are having a medical emergency. That's what the ER is for. Otherwise, call your doctor's office first, or go to a walk-in clinic. It will save you time.

How do I know when it's an emergency?

There are few clear rules about what is an emergency and what isn't. Most doctors would agree on a short list of problems that should always be treated as emergencies—chest pain that could be a heart attack, not being able to breathe, severe and uncontrolled bleeding, stroke symptoms, and a few others.

Most health problems are not emergencies. You may want to take care of the problem right away because you feel sick or uncomfortable, but nothing bad is going to happen to you if ou wait a bit. Then again, you don't always know that for sure. Some problems that seem minor can become serious if you ignore them. And it may be even harder to know what to do when a child is sick.

One good question to ask yourself is, "Am I thinking about going to the ER because it's convenient or because it's necessary?" If you are choosing the ER because you can get in without an appointment, keep in mind the high price you will pay for that convenience. And you may have other options. You can always call your doctor's office or a nurse line for help.

What if a problem happens on a weekend or at night?

If you think you are having a medical emergency, got to the ER.

If you don't think the problem is an emergency:

• Use the "Search" feature to look up your problem on this Web site, and read the information about when to call a doctor. See if there is home treatment you can try.
• Call your doctor's office and see if there is a number to call for after-hours service.
• Call a nurse line for advice. The nurse can help you decide whether you need to get help now or whether it is safe to wait.
• Go to a walk-in clinic (if one is open).
• Go to the ER if you feel the problem cannot wait until your doctor's office or a walk-in clinic is open.

What is a "walk-in" clinic?

Walk-in clinics are often called "minor emergency," "urgent care," or "immediate care" centres. They deal with all kinds of health problems and are often open in the evenings and on weekends. You do not need an appointment.

These types of clinics can be an option when:

• You can't or don't want to wait for an appointment at your doctor's office.
• You don't need the level of care an ER provides.

If it turns out you are having a true medical emergency, a walk-in clinic will send you to the ER.

Unless you have a walk-in clinic in your neighbourhood or already know where one is, it may be hard to find one when you need it. So, at your next doctor visit, ask your doctor to recommend one.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Katy E. Magee, MA Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 31, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.