Some days, an sickness or harm hits you quick and onerous, and that you must see a physician. Must you go to pressing care or the emergency room? What a couple of same-day appointment or walk-in clinic? Figuring out when to go to a same-day clinic vs. pressing care vs. emergency room (ER) can prevent time, cash, and get you the correct care quick.
How must you resolve which to decide on?
Bear in mind, for life-threatening emergencies, name 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
At UVA Well being, we provide a number of choices for care when that you must see somebody in the present day. Apart from our 4 ERs in Charlottesville, Culpeper, Haymarket, and Prince William, we additionally supply same-day and pressing care appointments, walk-in care with out an appointment, and choices for seeing a physician on-line or by cellphone, referred to as digital care, so that you don’t even want to go away residence.
What Is Similar-Day Care? Assist for Minor Issues At the moment
Similar-day care is for well being issues that aren’t emergencies however want fast consideration.
Lots of our clinics supply same-day appointments. This implies you might be able to schedule a same-day appointment at a clinic that already is aware of you and your historical past. And having a same-day clinic appointment means much less ready, much less fear, and a smaller invoice than an ER go to.
Want Care At the moment?
If it’s an emergency, go to the ER or name 911.
Similar-day and pressing care visits are billed otherwise from ER visits. ER visits are costly, even with insurance coverage. With a same-day appointment, you’ll both be billed for an pressing care go to or pay solely your typical main care copay.
Have questions? Contact us for extra details about how same-day care is billed. See our billing and insurance coverage part.
Select a same-day appointment should you want look after one thing like:
- Fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and different chilly and flu-like signs
- Minor wounds or accidents like small cuts, small burns, bruises, or insect bites
- Rashes
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Sprains or different minor accidents
What Is Pressing Care? For Well being Points That Can’t Wait
Pressing care is for well being issues that require medical consideration extra rapidly however aren’t life-threatening or severe sufficient to be an emergency. These diseases or accidents could also be stopping you from going about your regular day. You’ll be able to’t await a physician’s appointment, however the state of affairs isn’t an emergency.
Once more, these kind of appointments can prevent money and time. At an ER, sufferers are seen based mostly on how dangerous their situation is. Sufferers needing life-saving care get seen earlier than anybody else. With an pressing care appointment, you may skip the uncertainty of whenever you’ll be seen.
Select an pressing care appointment for:
- Cuts needing stitches (bleeding won’t cease, or bandages are soaked)
- Potential fracture, break, sprain, or different harm from a severe fall or accident
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting that received’t cease
- Sudden, extreme abdomen ache or cramping
- Allergic reactions like hives or a sudden rash, issue respiration, and wheezing
- Burns which are deep (by all layers of your pores and skin), massive (larger than the palm of your hand), or burns from a chemical or electrical supply
- Fever over 103 levels
What Is Digital Care?
When you may’t make it to the clinic in particular person, you may nonetheless get care quick. Digital visits (having an appointment with a healthcare supplier by video or cellphone name) supply a protected and handy method to get care from a UVA Well being supplier, with out leaving residence.
When you want care in the present day, our Digital Care Quick service affords on-line pressing care visits with no need an appointment. You don’t even have to already be a UVA Well being affected person.
Not all well being points may be dealt with by a Digital Care Quick go to. It’s possible you’ll be informed to go to a clinic to finish your go to or to go to the ER.
Ought to I Go to the ER? Severe and Life-Threatening Points
A visit to the ER is for very severe well being issues that may very well be life-threatening. Our ERs have superior instruments and specialists skilled to deal with severe emergencies and save lives. Our ERs are open 24/7.
When you don’t assume you may journey to get care by yourself, it’s finest to name 911 and have emergency medical technicians verify you out.
Go to the ER when you may have:
- Coronary heart assault indicators, like chest ache or hassle respiration
- Stroke signs, like sudden weak point, slurred speech, or confusion
- Severe head, neck, or again accidents
- Severe allergic reactions
- Seizures
Figuring out Your Choices Helps You Be Prepared
Figuring out your choices and the place your nearest same-day clinic, pressing care clinic, and ER are situated could make an enormous distinction whenever you want care quick.
Once more, should you’re having an emergency and wish care as quickly as doable, name 911 or go to the ER. When you’re nonetheless uncertain the place to go, name your clinic. They could be accessible to assist you decide and information you to the closest medical facility for assist.
After hours, and might’t attain somebody at your clinic? It could be finest to simply head to the ER. That may stop an emergency from getting worse.