Urgent Care or Medical Emergency? When to Go to the Hospital

If you are not feeling well, are experiencing symptoms that are concerning, or have an injury, sometimes it’s hard to know which level of medical care is most appropriate. How do you know if you are experiencing a medical emergency? Should you call your doctor’s office, go to urgent care, head to an emergency room, or even call an ambulance?

Anyone who thinks they are having a medical emergency (e.g., chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding) should not hesitate to call 911, according to Covenant Health Parkwest’s emergency department. EDs are prepared to care for every kind of medical emergency. Urgent care centers are also an option for minor emergencies or non-life-threatening conditions.

Should I Go to the Hospital?

Symptoms that are persistent and sudden may require a call to 911 and a trip to the ER.  Examples are chest pain that won’t go away or changes in vision that begin without warning. Other conditions that often need emergency medical treatment include:

• Stroke symptoms (sudden intense headache, loss of balance, facial drooping, inability to move arms or legs, blurred vision, slurred speech)
• Heart attack sympotoms (including, but not limited to chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and pain in arm, neck or jaw)
• Extreme stomach pain
• Trouble breathing (including shortness of breath)
• High fevers
• Allergic reactions
• Very high or very low blood pressure
• Eye or head injuries (or major changes in vision)
• Serious burns
• Possible drug overdose or poisoning
• Bleeding that will not stop
• Bone fracture
• Seizure
• Altered mental state
• Loss of consciousness
• Couging up or vomiting blood
• Blood in urine or stool
• Snake bites
• Fainting or dizziness
• Serious headaches

If you are already under special care for a condition like diabetes or an illness like cancer, it’s best to contact your physician before deciding to go to the emergency room. Your physician may want to see you personally and will definitely want to connect with the ER staff if a hospital visit is necessary.

While the goal of an emergency department is to treat all patients as quickly as possible,  priority is given to patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Patients who are assessed and determined to have non-life-threatening conditions may experience a longer wait time. While you are waiting, be aware that in addition to walk-in patients, ambulances are also bringing in patients who may be experiencing life-or-death emergencies.

Urgent Care for Non-life-threatening Conditions

In recent years, urgent care and walk-in clinics have become more available for those needing prompt care for conditions that are not life-threatining or medical emergencies. Covenant Health’s urgent care centers have resources for diagnostic testing, including lab and radiology studies, and laceration repair. The medical providers at urgent care centers will not hesitate to advise you if you need a higher level of care than they can provide.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms or conditions below, consider visiting a Covenant Health Urgent Care center or receiving virtual urgent care via telehealth:

• Sprains and strains
• Lower back pain
• Cold, flu or sinus infection symptoms, includin sore throat, cough and ear pain
• Allergies
• Most animal or insect bits
• Pink eye
• Rash
• Tooth pain
• Minor burn
• Simple cut needing stitches
• Sports physicals and most sports injuries
• Upset stomach (vomiting and diarrhea)
• Pregnany test
• Urinary tract infections
• Nosebleed

Covenant Health Offers Virtual Urgent Care

Covenant Health Virtual Urgent Care is a fast and convenient way for an individual to see a clinician by video call when it is not feasible to schedule an in-person visit for urgent (non-emergency) medical needs. With Covenant Health Virtual Urgent Care, appointments and insurance are not required. Services are available 24/7, anywhere in East Tennessee. Trust us for your family’s non-emergency care needs on weekends, holidays, after hours, or whenever you can fit care into your busy schedule.

With Virtual Urgent Care, emergency medicine-trained clinicians provide expert advice, diagnosis, and treatment for non-emergency healthcare needs. Insurance is not required; a video call with Covenant Health Virtual Urgent Care costs a flat rate of $65, payable by credit card, debit card, or Health Savings Account card.

Covenant Health Virtual Urgent Care provides diagnosis and treatment for these and other everyday non-eemergency needs:

• Allergies and sinus conditions
• Coughs, colds, and flu
• Rashes, insect bites, and minor burns
• Prescription refills

Go to Covenant Health Virtual Urgent Care to learn more and begin a virtual urgent care visit.