You have sudden chest pain — should you go to your local Emergency Department? You have a sore throat — should you go to the Emergency Department? Both of your eyes are pink — should you go to the Emergency Department? If you answered “yes” to all three questions, you would be incorrect.
According to Shane Sergent, DO, Central Region Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at Penn Highlands Healthcare, the answers are yes, no and no.
“If the symptoms are sudden onset or it is a life-threatening illness or injury, you should go straight to the Emergency Department; and, if the symptoms warrant, call 911 to get you there faster,” explained Dr. Sergent. “Family Medicine physicians and walk-in centers are great for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries such as viruses, sprains and cold symptoms.”
With the recent surge in flu cases, people who visit any hospital Emergency Department for non-life-threatening conditions may have to wait longer to be seen.
In hospital Emergency Departments, a triage system is followed to prioritize the most severely ill or injured patients. Even people who arrive at the ED by ambulance, who do not present with life- threatening conditions or injuries, may have to wait to be evaluated and treated. From animal bites and earaches to sprains and minor burns, PCPs and walk-in clinics typically can see you, treat you and send you home faster than at a hospital ED.
“While everyone considers their own medical needs an emergency, pinkeye is not afforded the same level of urgency as stoke symptoms in a hospital ED,” said Sergent. “When people do not feel well or are in pain, the last thing they want to do is wait a long time for treatment; that’s why we recommend contacting your PCP or visiting walk-in centers for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries,” said Sergent.
PCPs can be physicians, nurse practitioners or physician assistants. PCPs help you avoid emergencies, and you are more likely to have better health if you visit your PCP regularly. The Penn Highlands Healthcare primary care providers include internal medicine, family medicine and pediatric practices to cover all ages of life.
Sergent points out that illnesses and injuries do not always happen when primary care
providers have appointments available — that’s why walk-in clinics are popular. The clinics also are a great alternative to EDs for people who do not have a family doctor and need medical care.
Penn Highlands Healthcare offers QCare Walk-in Clinics throughout the region. For locations and hours, visit phhealthcare.org/qcare. To find a family medicine provider, visit
phhealthcare.org/findadoc.
