Is It An Emergency?

How to know when to go to the emergency department.

Injuries and illnesses require urgent treatment, but how can you decide whether you should see your doctor or head straight to the emergency department (ED)?

Of course, a life-threatening situation always warrants a trip to the ED. Additionally, "anything with a sudden onset that causes extreme illness or change in mental status is something you want to seek emergency care for," explains Joseph D'Addesio, M.D., chief of the emergency department on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie.

On the other hand, people who have problems related to a chronic illness should see their regular doctor if he or she is available. "That continuity of care is important," Dr. D'Addesio says.

Dr. D'Addesio sees the ED as a place people can turn for serious situations, or at a time of day when their doctor is not available. "We try to rule out all of the bad illnesses and make sure they're going to be OK to follow up with their private physician," he explains. "While our mission is not to provide ongoing primary care, we want to rule out serious problems and give the patient instructions to continue care with his or her own doctor."

For injuries that aren't life-threatening, typically a call to your primary care doctor or pediatrician should be your first step. Based on his or her advice, you can proceed to the doctor's office or the emergency room.

By Stephanie Thurrott