[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/10\/central-pa-right-care\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/10\/central-pa-right-care\/","headline":"Sudden Injury or Illness \u2013 What Should You Do? Find The Right Care in Central Pa.","name":"Sudden Injury or Illness \u2013 What Should You Do? Find The Right Care in Central Pa.","description":"When you have a sudden, unexpected illness or injury, where should you go? The emergency department, your primary care provider, or the local urgent care center? While the emergency department may seem like the right place for a sudden injury or illness, there are things you should consider. Did you know only 29% of emergency […]","datePublished":"2021-10-22","dateModified":"2025-10-09","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/GettyImages-1270643056-2.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/GettyImages-1270643056-2.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/10\/central-pa-right-care\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":870,"articleBody":"When you have a sudden, unexpected illness or injury, where should you go? The emergency department, your primary care provider, or the local urgent care center?While the emergency department may seem like the right place for a sudden injury or illness, there are things you should consider.Did you know only 29% of emergency department visits require emergency care? Visiting the emergency department is also two to three times more expensive than going to an urgent care clinic or visiting your doctor’s office.Learn when you should call your primary care doctor or go to the ED, walk-in care, or urgent care.When Should You Go to the Emergency Department?An emergency department visit is the right choice for illnesses or injuries that are serious or life-threatening, and where the time needed to contact your primary care provider may mean permanent damage to your health. This can include, but is not limited to:Chest pain or severe abdominal pain.Deep cuts or bleeding that will not stop.Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.Eye injuries.Fainting.Mental confusion.Numbness in the face, arm, or leg.Seizures.Severe burns.Sudden blurred or loss of vision.Sudden, severe headache (not a migraine).Suspected fractures.If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. In the event of chest pain, you should call an ambulance. When the EMT staff arrives at your location, they can start providing care right away and prepare the hospital for your arrival.And never drive yourself to the hospital if you’ve experienced a severe injury \u2013 you could harm yourself or someone else trying to drive there.When Should You Call Your Primary Care Provider?Except for the rare cases above, you should first call your primary care provider. (If you don’t have a primary care provider, you can find one near you here.)Your primary care provider can treat most health concerns, including minor injuries, in a fast, convenient manner. Many also offer same-day appointments, including after-hours care at many of our almost 60 locations throughout central Pennsylvania.Call your PCP first before seeking care at other health care locations for these services:Common illnesses, such as colds, flu, earaches, sore throats, coughs, migraines, fever, or rashes.Lice.Pregnancy or STD tests.Pinkeye.Minor injuries, such as sprains, back pain, minor cuts and burns, minor broken bones, or minor eye injuries.Vomiting and diarrhea.In addition to these services, your primary care provider is your partner in health, providing routine care, treating illness, managing chronic conditions, and acting as your advocate within the health care system. Your primary care provider generally provides you with most of your medical care unless you require specialized treatment for a health problem, at which time he or she will refer you to a specialist and help coordinate your treatment.Video Visits Are Also an OptionGet the care you need, right where you need it. UPMC is here for you with our video visit options. Video visits can be scheduled for regular primary care and specialty appointments or if you are experiencing flu or COVID-19 symptoms.You can choose from:On-demand video visitsOnline video visits are a convenient way to access a physician or advanced practice provider (APP) virtually from your home or office without making an appointment or going to the clinic. You will connect in real time for an appointment to receive a diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription as needed. Find out more.Scheduled video visitsVideo visits give you the opportunity to speak with a provider \u2014 sometimes your own primary care provider \u2014 in real time using a webcam or mobile device. For these, you must make an appointment. Call your doctor today to see if a video visit is an option for you. For primary care, you can schedule a video visit directly through your patient portal. Learn more about video visits.Pediatric express care video visitsUPMC Children\u2019s AnywhereCare offers 24\/7 virtual care through your patient portal. Certified pediatric providers from UPMC Children\u2019s Express Care are available to treat your child\u2019s minor injuries and illnesses.When Should You Go to an Urgent Care or Express Location?Calling your primary care provider or pediatrician is typically recommended for immediate medical advice. However, we understand that minor injuries and illnesses do not always happen during business hours. UPMC walk-in clinics and urgent care centers are convenient options when you can’t get in to see your regular doctor.Walk-in locations are staffed by primary care providers who can treat multiple concerns, including coughs, colds, rashes, urinary issues, eye or ear drainage, and fever. While these conditions have the potential to get worse, they are not emergencies requiring hospitalization. Find an urgent care center near you.The Right Care at the Right PlaceYour primary care provider and nearby urgent center can treat most minor illnesses and injuries in a timely manner. Save your trips to the emergency department for just that \u2014 an emergency. If you aren’t sure, contact your PCP and use your best judgment.For more information, visit our website.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on October 22, 2021, and was last reviewed on October 9, 2025."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2021","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"10","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/\/10\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Sudden Injury or Illness \u2013 What Should You Do? Find The Right Care in Central Pa.","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/10\/central-pa-right-care\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]