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By Kim Anderson
Being prepared
for an emergency
includes planning what you will
do if an emergency happens. Not
all situations call for the same
response, so knowing which
response is appropriate for the
situation is part of being prepared.
In northern Idaho, we are fortu-
nate to have a number of excellent
options for health care events.
Knowing how to make the best
choice for your situation ensures
you receive timely, appropriate
care. Here’s a look at the types of
care available to you, along with
general guidelines on when to
choose that level of care.
D O C T O R ’ S O F F I C E
If your symptoms come on gradually
or you already know the diagnosis,
such as an ear infection, you may
want to try to get a same-day ap-
pointment with your primary care
provider. When you visit your doctor
for an illness or injury, he or she
knows your health history, including
any underlying conditions, and can
make informed choices about your
treatment and needed tests.
If you do not have a family doctor,
it can be hard to know how to find
one. Kootenai Clinic offers an Ap-
pointment Center to help people find
a doctor that’s right for them, make
an appointment and answer any
questions they may have. The Ap-
pointment Center helps people find
doctors who are accepting patients,
including those with Medicare and
Medicaid. To find a primary care
provider, call
(208) 625-6767
.
U R G E N T C A R E
If your doctor’s office is closed and
you need to be seen right away, but
you don’t need the level of care
available at an emergency room, an
urgent care is a great option.
Urgent care offices are same-day
clinics that can handle a variety of
conditions that need to be treated
right away but are not true emergen-
cies. Symptoms that can be treated
at urgent care include:
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Fever without rash
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Sinus, eye and ear infections
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Minor trauma, such as muscle
sprains and strains
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Lacerations and foreign body
removal
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Painful urination or urinary tract
infections
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Eye irritation and redness
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Diarrhea, vomiting or dehydration
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Severe sore throat and cough
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Cold and flu symptoms
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Allergic reactions
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Minor burns
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Punctures and animal bites
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Department of Transportation,
sports, and pre-employment
physicals
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Testing for sexually transmitted
infections
E M E R G E N C Y D E P A R T M E N T
Emergency departments are
designed to provide fast, life-
saving care. They respond to
a wide variety of emergencies,
such as traumatic injuries, heart
attacks and strokes. Many people,
however, use the emergency
department as a place to receive
urgent care without realizing it.
The following are a few of
the conditions that are true
medical emergencies. If you are
experiencing one of the following
conditions or something similar,
go to the emergency department.
◗
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Persistent chest pain or heart
palpitations
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Severe heart palpitations
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Persistent shortness of breath or
wheezing
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Severe pain
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High fevers (over 102°) or fevers
with a rash
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Weakness or paralysis
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Sudden, severe headache
K O O T E N A I
U R G E N T C A R E
is a partnership
between Kootenai Health and
North Idaho Family Physicians
with offices in Post Falls, Coeur
d’Alene and Hayden. Learn
more and find contact informa-
tion for the office near you at
kootenaiurgentcare.com.
KnowWhere toGo
FAMI LY DOCTOR , URGENT CARE OR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ?
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