Emergency vs Urgency

Ever wonder where the line between emergency and urgent care falls? Sometimes, it’s hard to tell.

As a general rule of thumb, go to the Emergency Department (ED) when it seems life threatening, like a heart attack or poisoning. Go to the walk-in clinic when it is serious but not life threatening, and needs to be seen today, not tomorrow. Remember, call 911 if the situation seems immediately life threatening.

Emergency or Urgency

Of course, when you have a medical emergency, you need to be seen in the emergency department-immediately.

When to visit the emergency department:

Chest pain, especially in people over 35
Signs of stroke (FAST: Face dropping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911)
Difficulty breathing
Convulsions, seizures
Loss of consciousness
Fever in newborn
Deep wounds, heavy bleeding
Serious head, neck or back injury
Severe abdominal pain
Alarming pregnancy problems
Talk of suicide or homicide
Moderate to severe burns
Poisoning
Coughing or vomiting blood

The CCMH ED is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. Call 911 in an emergency situation.

From minor mishaps to sore throats, almost every family has pressing medical needs at times. Though they may not be emergencies, they need attention now.

When to visit the Walk-in Clinic:

Falls, sprains, and simple fracture
Mild asthma attacks and breathing difficulty
Wounds with moderate bleeding
Fever, flu, upper respiratory tract infection
X-rays and lab tests
Vomiting or diarrhea
Skin rashes and infections
Mild eye irritation
Urinary tract infection
Abdominal pain
Headache
STD testing
Pneumonia
Back pain
Allergies
Dental infection
Mild burns
Work injuries

The Walk-in Clinic is open 7-days a week. 307-688-WALK (9255)

Monday-Friday from 8 am - 8 pm
Saturday-Sunday from 8 am - 6 pm

Remember: an urgent care center like the Walk-in Clinic & Occupational Health is not a replacement for your primary care provider or the emergency department. Please visit the Find a Doctor section for physician information.

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