Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/619641
Can You Choose the Right Path to Care? Your chest feels tight, and you're also experiencing nausea and upper body pain. You suspect you're coming down with the fl u but want to rule out something more serious. YOU SHOULD VISIT… A: your primary care physician B: an urgent care center C: the ER ANSWER : C — THE ER Any time you experience chest pain or other heart attack warning signs, which can include nausea, upper body aches, dizziness and shortness of breath, call 911. Do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital. You receive a call from your child's school because she started running a fever. Her best friend has strep throat, and you suspect she might, too. YOU SHOULD VISIT… A: your child's primary care physician B: an urgent care center C: the ER ANSWER : A — YOUR CHILD'S PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN For care of minor illnesses, making an appointment with your family's primary care physician is your best bet. Not only do you get the benefi t of seeing a doctor who is familiar with your family's medical history, but primary care offi ces also usually require lower copays than urgent care centers. If the doctor's offi ce is closed or unable to accommodate a same-day appointment, head to urgent care. Take our quiz to see which concerns warrant an emergency room visit and which symptoms can be managed in a primary or urgent care setting. During your morning run, you twisted your ankle and fell. Now, your ankle is swollen, and it hurts to stand or put pressure on the joint. YOU SHOULD VISIT… A: your primary care physician B: an urgent care center C: the ER ANSWER : B — AN URGENT CARE CENTER Your fi rst guess may have been the ER, but urgent care centers often have the X-ray equipment needed to diagnose minor sports injuries, including sprains, strains and broken bones. Head injuries, however, warrant an ER visit. Scenari• 2: Scenari• 3: Scenari• 1: To find a primary care physician, visit christushealth.org or call (844) 274-DOCS (3627). What to Bring to the ER Having certain items on hand can make your emergency room visit less stressful. If time is of the essence, you'll want to pack quickly. Try to grab these essentials: • a list of the medications you currently take — if you have a smartphone, store the list and note the name of each medication, the amount you take daily and when you took your last dose • a list of any medication or food allergies • copies of advance directives, such as a document designating your health care proxy • your insurance card and driver's license • your primary care physician's name and phone number If time allows, you may also want to pack a smartphone charger, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and a change of clothes. LiveWell | Winter 2016 11