Emergency Care

It’s not always easy deciding whether to go to an emergency department (ED) or to wait and see your family doctor. A life-threatening situation always warrants a trip to the emergency department  as does anything with a sudden onset that causes extreme illness or change in mental status. But it can still be confusing to know when to go. 

The American College of Emergency Physicians offers these helpful guidelines for when to seek emergency care. Go to the emergency department  if you have:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or pressure
• Fainting, loss of consciousness, sudden dizziness or weakness, particularly on one side of the body
• Changes in vision
• Difficulty speaking
• Confusion or changes in mental status
• Any sudden or severe pain, particularly unusual abdominal pain
• A high fever that’s not getting better or is escalating
• A traumatic injury such as a broken bone or penetrating wound
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Suicidal feelings
• Ingested poison 

Depending on the symptoms, you may also want to seek emergency care for severe asthma attacks and allergic reactions to food, medication or an insect bite or sting. 

In the case of children, it’s always better to err on the side of caution because they may not be able to describe the severity of their illness. You know your child best, so if you think they are ill and need to be seen, follow your instincts. 

If you’re unsure, call your doctor’s office and ask. If it’s after hours or on a weekend, the basic rule of thumb is when in doubt, go to the emergency department .           

For maps and directions to the Baylor Plano Emergency Department, click here.