DO YOU NEED HELP RIGHT NOW

Is it an emergency, urgent, can wait?
FIRST OF ALL - GET INSTRUCTIONS FROM YOUR PCP during an appointment for what to do when you need help

FOLLOW THE DOC'S INSTRUCTIONS FIRST.  If you don't know what the doctor wants or it's not working for you, continue below:

• USE THE PHONE!!! Call the doctor's office or whoever they told you to call.
• DO NOT EMAIL -- Email may not be answered until the next day or two.

Three basic ways to prioritize the help that you need:

1. Is it an emergency - meaning: It Cannot Wait, You Must Be Seen By a Doctor ASAP
2. Is it urgent - meaning: It can wait for a short time, but you should be seen by a healthcare provider today
3. Routine - meaning: You can call the doctor's office during office hours and ask for a nurse to talk to about your concern

1. IT IS AN EMERGENCY - IT CANNOT WAIT

• YOU NEED TO GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM - CALL 911 if you cannot be driven
• Try to go to the emergency room that your doctor told you to go to at your office visit, otherwise go to the nearest one or the one recommended by the paramedics if you call 911

ERs are open 24/7 and they’re the most expensive place to go for care.
Use them only for serious or life-threatening issues - life and limb - such as:

1. chest pain
2. difficulty breathing
3. vomiting blood or uncontrollable bleeding
4. very high fever - what is a very high fever click
5. a large rash that may be a reaction to a medication
6. seizures
7. sudden dizziness or loss of balance
8. severe burns

Click me to open a popup window
with more examples of emergencies
Click the window to close it ERs are open 24/7 and they’re the most expensive place to go for care.
Use them only for serious or life-threatening issues

1. Shortness of breath that will not become regular
2. Chest pain
3. Uncontrolled bleeding
4. Uncontrolled vomiting or vomiting that lasts more than 24hrs
5. Uncontrolled diarrhea or 5x diarrhea in 24hrs
6. Sudden dizziness/loss of balance that does not go away
7. One side of body/face weakness: drooping face/mouth, unable to move an arm or leg, severe speech slur
8. Seizure or convulsions - SET UP LINK TO ILLUSTRATE
9. Very high fever - WHAT IS A HIGH FEVER
10. Severe burns
11. Sudden change in consciousness - for example: pass out, unresponsive, mood will not calm down
12. INSTRUCTIONS BY YOUR DOCTOR

More detail for When to Use the Emergency Room or Urgent Care

2. AN URGENT CONCERN - IT COULD WAIT AN HOUR OR SO Try to contact your doctor's office or clinic FIRST or follow the doc's instructions for after hours
-- USE THE PHONE!!!
-- DO NOT EMAIL
-- Ideally, you could be seen the same day

WHEN TO GO TO AN URGENT CARE CLINIC
Try to contact your doctor's office or clinic FIRST or follow the doc's instructions for after hours
Still, rules of thumb for urgent care clinic include:

1. cuts and lacerations
2. sprains and strains
3. colds and flu-like symptoms
4. work-related injuries
5. eye and ear problems
6. minor burns
7. sports injuries

IF YOU HAVE A CHRONIC CONDITION AND YOU SEE A SPECIALIST FOR IT:

-- THE SPECIALIST SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU WHEN TO CALL THE SPECIALIST OR THE SPECIALTY CLINIC

For example:
Let's say a person sees a hematologist-oncologist for a cancer or other similar condition and is in active treatment or follow-up.
In my experience, the hem-onc is the point person and wants to be called about any health concerns, urgent matters, and medications. In this case, the hem-onc has taken over the role of the primary care physician. Primary care physicians, in my experience, support this role of the hem-onc physician.
Not all specialists or PCPs may follow this example. You have to ask the specialist about communication if they do not provide this information.

IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT YOUR REGULAR DOCTORS KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOU:

1. If you can, go to an emergency room or urgent care that your PCP or specialist recommends.
2. Update your doctors about the diagnosis and treatment that you receive at the emergency room or urgent care or from other doctors. Communication among healthcare providers is not a strong point of our healthcare system.
3. Continuity of care - This is a huge goal in healthcare. When it is followed, all your doctors and clinics know what is happening with you
• This is extremely important, as the example below demonstrates

Link: A very real example: The case of Ms. G., look to the right of the webpage that you get directed to.  From: Improving Chronic Illness Care
Please post a comment below if you would like to discuss this case example