Patients have a variety of local resources available to address their medical needs, but many don’t know when it’s appropriate to seek treatment at an outpatient center with immediate care services or a hospital emergency department.
There are important warning signs that should send you without delay to the emergency room. Seek immediate emergency care if you have any of these symptoms:
Pain or pressure in your chest
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Fainting or sudden dizziness
Sudden severe headache
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (particularly on one side of the body)
Abdominal pain with vomiting, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea (could indicate dehydration)
Uncontrolled bleeding
Suspected poisoning
Severe burns
Other less serious conditions may be treated just as effectively and maybe more quickly at an immediate care outpatient center. These conditions include:
coughs and colds
sinus infections
sore throats
ear infections
eye infections and injuries
fevers in otherwise relatively healthy individuals
urinary tract infections
rashes
wounds, including those requiring stitches
sprains, fractures, injuries involving arms and legs
Evaluate your symptoms to make the best decision for your health by choosing the location that will provide the fastest, most effective care possible based on your condition.
Dr. Marc Spiller is an emergency room physician on staff at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital and Advocate Good Samaritan Outpatient Centers in Downers Grove and Lemont.