Emergency Triage
Knowing your healthcare options should be easy and accessible.
Not every health concern needs immediate emergency care. It's important to know when to turn to primary care or seek urgent care versus waiting in the ER.
When to Use Primary
Care Provider
- Lab tests
- Treatment for some acute conditions, such as coughs and cold, ear infections, and minor injuries
- Treatment for chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, that require regular follow-up
- appointments
- Preventive health care services, such as mammograms, colonoscopies and vaccines
- Women’s health services such as pelvic exams, pap smears and other gynecological support
- Prescriptions refills
- Follow-Ups
- Physical
- Referrals
When to Use
Urgent Care
- simple fractures
- sprains and strains
- a fever without a rash
- nausea
- vomiting and diarrhea
- abdominal pains
- sexually transmitted infections
- open wounds that might need stitches
- allergic reactions
- Upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis, influenza, and COVID-19
- pneumonia
- lacerations, or cuts
- wounds or abscesses
- fever
- migraine
- mononucleosis
- back pain
- insect bites
- conjunctivitis, or pink eye
- ear infections
- sinusitis
- Dehydration
When to Use the
Emergency Room (ER)
- stroke
- heart attack
- psychiatric emergencies such as suicidal or homicidal thoughts
- major motor vehicle accidents
- head injuries
- loss of consciousness
- difficulty breathing, or severe shortness of breath
- excessive bleeding
- seizures
- chest pain
- severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
- Compound fractures
- coughing or vomiting blood
- serious burns
- vaginal bleeding during pregnancy