8 ketteringhealth.org According to the National Center for Health Statistics, emergency departments in the U.S. receive about 130 million visitors annually. Pre-pandemic, nearly a quarter of U.S. adults went to an emergency department at least once a year. But how many of those trips could have been avoided? Nancy Pook, MD, emergency medicine physician and medical director of the Kettering Health Operations Command Center, says there are plenty of cases when going elsewhere could result in better health outcomes for patients. Chronic but less severe symptoms If you’re ill or experiencing pain, consider how severe the symptoms feel. If it’s not a life- or limbthreatening situation, then your primary care physician is your best resource. Emergency care NEEDCARENOW? Kettering Health’s On-Demand Care clinics are also a resource if your primary care doctor is unavailable or if you don’t have a primary care doctor. “If a chronic or minor problem seems to be getting worse, the On-Demand Care clinics may be the best destination,” Dr. Pook says. Providers at the clinics commonly treat things like bladder infections, bronchitis, and bug bites. Urgent care or the emergency department? Urgent care facilities and emergency departments provide different services. Head to urgent care if you need services such as a physical exam, a strep test, or a “return to work” note. If you have only one issue or a relatively minor symptom, then urgent care should suffice. Urgent care providers can also handle simple cuts and lacerations. However, wounds with a lot of pus are more serious and should be treated at the emergency department. Relying on the emergency department for immediate care is not always the right choice “Before immediately going to the ED, check in with your primary care doctor first,” Dr. Pook says. “If you’re experiencing lingering symptoms, they’ll be able to figure out your healthcare options.” For example, the emergency department isn’t the most helpful resource for chronic headaches. Your primary doctor may refer you to a neurologist to develop a more long-term plan for curing those headaches. Respiratory infections are among the most common emergency department cases. For a minor cough or cold that doesn’t include other debilitating symptoms, most people will recover on their own at home. “However, if a patient is at higher risk from COVID-19 or the flu, then they should touch base with their primary care doctor and get tested,” Dr. Pook recommends. KNOW WHERE TO GO When you need care now, it’s important to know where to go. Visit ketteringhealth.org/find-care to determine ahead of time the location of your nearest emergency department, urgent care, and On-Demand Care clinic. Know your best option
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