One of the questions I receive most often is, “Should I contact you, go to urgent care, or head to the emergency room?” Knowing where to seek care can help you receive the right treatment as quickly as possible.

Understanding the difference between primary care, urgent care, and emergency care can make it easier to know what to do when a health concern comes up. When a situation is not an emergency, contacting your primary care provider first can often help you determine the most appropriate next step.

At Keck Health in Wormleysburg, PA, our goal is to help patients receive the right care, at the right place, and at the right time.

Contact Our Office First Whenever Possible

If your concern is not an emergency, I encourage you to contact our office first. Even if I am unable to see you immediately because I am caring for other patients or away from the office, I can often help guide you toward the most appropriate next step.

If you can briefly describe what is happening, I may be able to recommend the most appropriate level of care, direct you to an urgent care center that is equipped to evaluate your specific problem, or help you see the most appropriate provider as efficiently as possible.

Every urgent care center offers different services. Some locations have access to imaging, laboratory testing, or procedures that others may not. Depending on your symptoms, I may recommend a particular urgent care location to help ensure you receive the care you need without unnecessary delays or transfers.

When Urgent Care Is the Right Choice

Urgent care is generally appropriate when your condition needs evaluation the same day but is not life-threatening. This can be especially helpful when your primary care provider is unavailable to see you that day.

Examples of concerns that may be appropriate for urgent care include minor injuries, sprains, simple fractures, cuts that may require stitches, persistent fever, worsening infections, urinary symptoms, ear infections, sore throat, and sinus infections.

Urgent care may also be appropriate for mild to moderate asthma flare-ups when there is no severe breathing difficulty, as well as rashes or allergic reactions that are not causing trouble breathing.

Vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration that is concerning but not severe may also require same-day evaluation at an urgent care center.

Because urgent care facilities differ in the services they provide, contacting our office first can help you determine where you should go.

What Happens If Urgent Care Recommends Emergency Care?

If an urgent care provider determines that your condition requires a higher level of care, they may refer you to the emergency department for further evaluation and treatment.

This recommendation is based on your symptoms and clinical findings. Following that guidance can help ensure you receive the level of care you need without unnecessary delays.

If you are unsure whether urgent care is appropriate, please call our office whenever possible. We are happy to help guide you.

When to Go Directly to the Emergency Department

Some situations require immediate emergency care. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, do not delay going to the emergency department while waiting for a return call from our office.

Call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately for symptoms such as chest pain or pressure, particularly when pain spreads to the arm, jaw, neck, or back.

Sudden weakness or numbness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, sudden vision changes, or sudden loss of balance may be signs of a stroke and require immediate emergency evaluation.

Severe difficulty breathing, life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness, or severe confusion also require emergency care.

A severe allergic reaction involving swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing is another situation that requires immediate medical attention.

If you believe your condition could be life-threatening, seek emergency care immediately.

 

What Should You Do After an Urgent Care or Emergency Visit?

If you visit an urgent care center or emergency department, please notify our office as soon as possible.

Letting us know about your visit allows our team to help coordinate your care, obtain medical records when needed, arrange appropriate follow-up, and support continuity of your treatment.

Your immediate medical care should always come first if you are experiencing an emergency. Once the immediate concern has been addressed, keeping your primary care provider informed can help with the next steps in your care.

Why Contacting Your Primary Care Provider Can Help

Your primary care provider understands your medical history and can help put your current symptoms into context.

When you contact our office about a non-emergency concern, we can discuss what you’re experiencing and help determine whether you should be seen in our office, visit an urgent care center, or seek another level of care.

This can also help you avoid unnecessary delays or visits to a facility that may not provide the services you need.

Knowing Where to Go Can Save Time

When you’re sick or dealing with an injury, knowing where to seek care can sometimes be confusing. The emergency department is designed for serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, while urgent care can provide same-day evaluation for many non-emergency concerns.

For concerns that are not emergencies, your primary care provider can often serve as your first point of contact and help guide you toward the appropriate care.

At Keck Health, we want our patients to feel comfortable reaching out when they aren’t sure what to do.

The Bottom Line on Choosing the Right Medical Care

Not every health concern requires an emergency room visit, and not every problem should wait for a routine appointment. Understanding when to contact your primary care provider, when urgent care may be appropriate, and when emergency care is necessary can help you receive appropriate treatment more efficiently.

Whenever your situation is not an emergency, contacting our office first can allow us to help guide you to the most appropriate resource.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency or believe your condition could be life-threatening, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately.

Thank you for allowing Keck Health to be part of your healthcare team.