14 Primary care, urgent care or emergency department? Knowwhen and where to go By Kim Anderson Sniffles and sore throats, slips and trips, cuts and concussions. Life can get busy, so when an illness or injury is piled on top of other responsibilities, it’s great to be able to handle it quickly and efficiently. Northern Idaho is fortunate to have a number of excellent options for a wide variety of health concerns. 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. Doctor’sofficevisit If your symptoms come on gradually, are related to a long-standing issue or you believe you know what the problem is, such as an ear infection or urinary tract infection (UTI), try to get a same-day appointment with your primary care provider. While urgent care clinics have extended hours and accept walk-ins, your family physician or nurse practitioner is usually the best place to start when you are sick or hurt. When you visit your doctor for an illness or injury, he or she knows your health history, including any underlying conditions, and can help you make informed choices about your treatment and needed tests. Urgent carevisit “An urgent care can help with the same types of concerns as your family doctor,” said Christian Menard, M.D., Ph.D., Kootenai Health medical director of emergency services. “Urgent care is a great choice if your family doctor can’t fit you in and you need help for a minor infection like an ear infection or UTI, cold symptoms, a sprain or a cut.” Kootenai Urgent Care is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. With Kootenai Health’s transition to the Epic electronic health record last year, Kootenai Urgent Care providers now also have easy access to your Kootenai Health medical record. This allows them to see your full health history, any medications you have been prescribed and results from lab work and imaging studies. Emergencydepartmentvisit Emergency departments (ED) are designed to provide fast, lifesaving care. They respond to a wide range of emergencies, such as major traumatic injuries, heart attacks and strokes. As our community grows and Kootenai Health cares for the needs of more people, the ED has become a very busy place. Those with time-sensitive emergencies who require quick intervention to save their life or prevent further damage are prioritized and cared for first. “The fastest way to receive the care you need is to go to the right place the first time,” said Dr. Menard. “If your condition is relatively minor, you will be seen more quickly at the urgent care than the ED.” Christian Menard, M.D., Ph.D. WISELY Choose Your Care Need care now? Kootenai Urgent Care has offices in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Hayden. Learn more at kootenaiurgentcare.com.
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