The Emergency Department (ED) at Texas Health Huguley Hospital is a 24-hour Emergency Center of Excellence, and the dedicated emergency team stands ready to help. But how do you know when to use the ED? In general, if you or someone else could lose a life or a limb, that’s an emergency, and you should get help quickly, says Steve Hamilton, MD, Emergency Physician. It’s usually best to call 911 so that ambulance crews can begin treatment even before you reach the hospital. “Calling 911 and getting an EMS crew to your location is often lifesaving, as opposed to getting in a car and driving yourself or your loved one to the hospital,” he says. According to Dr. Hamilton, some common signs of an emergency are: ● Chest discomfort, especially if associated with other symptoms, like heavy sweating ● Stroke-like symptoms, such as sudden confusion, a droopy Children and emergencies When it comes to sick or injured children, Dr. Hamilton says different guidelines apply. Parents should seek emergency care for kids with any concerning symptoms or injuries. That’s because kids are often more vulnerable to a rapid decline in their condition. If you have concerns about your child— for instance, when a fever won’t break or your child can’t stop vomiting—do not hesitate to seek emergency care. Care around the clock See how you can count on Texas Health Huguley when every second counts. Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/ED. Is it an emergency? Where to go when you need care face, or weakness in an arm or leg ● Difficulty breathing ● Sudden or severe abdominal pain ● Persistent nausea or vomiting, especially with signs of dehydration ● Bleeding that won’t stop ● Burns from scalding water ● Mental health crises, especially those including suicidal or homicidal thoughts When to see your primary care provider (PCP) Your PCP can be a good choice for nonemergency care, like when you have ongoing symptoms, such as a nagging cough or an ache that’s been building slowly for weeks. Getting the help you need to start feeling better might be easier than you think. “We try hard to improve access to care for our patients who need to get in for things that are not emergencies,” says Family Medicine Physician Dan Chadwick, MD. “We would rather not have them go to the ED for things like coughs and colds, urinary tract infections, and minor abdominal pains.” Other examples include sore throats, pink eye and earaches. If you’re not sure whether you should make an appointment, you can call your provider’s office and ask. 6 TexasHealthHuguley.org
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2MTU5NA==