KH . ORG 15 Need a primary care provider? The Kootenai Clinic Appointment Center can help you find a family physician welcoming new patients, including those with Medicare and Medicaid. Call (208) 625-6767 to get started. Seek medical attention from your primary care provider or urgent care for: • Fever without rash • Ear infections • Minor trauma, such as muscle sprains and strains • Cuts and foreign body removal • Painful urination or urinary tract infections • Eye irritation and redness • Diarrhea, vomiting or dehydration • Severe sore throat and cough • Cold and flu symptoms • Allergic reactions • Minor burns • Sinus and eye infections • Punctures and animal bites • DOT, sports and pre-employment physicals • Testing for sexually transmitted infections Get the Right Level of Care Go to the emergency department or call 911 for: • Persistent chest pain • Severe heart palpitations • Difficulty speaking, altered mental state or confusion • Loss of vision • Sudden, severe headache • Loss of balance or fainting • Seizures without a previous diagnosis of epilepsy • Persistent shortness of breath or wheezing • Weakness or paralysis • Serious burns • Broken bones or dislocated joints • Head or eye injuries • Intestinal bleeding • Sudden testicular pain and swelling • Persistent high fever (over 102 degrees) or fevers with a rash • Falls with injury or while taking blood-thinning medications • Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy • Severe pain Kootenai Health’s ED physicians have all been specifically trained in emergency medicine. Their training is focused on caring for the life-threatening conditions commonly seen in an ED, as opposed to conditions typically seen by a family physician. “Emergency medicine training is focused on quickly assessing what can cost you your life or what can cause you to lose your sight or a limb,” said Dr. Menard. “When a patient comes to the ED with a life-threatening condition, within minutes they will be seen by someone whose entire training is aimed at keeping them safe and providing the care needed for the best possible recovery.” Gethelp Call 911 for any emergency that requires immediate assistance from an ambulance (or the police or fire department). For many medical emergencies, such as a heart attack or stroke, taking an ambulance is safer than driving to the hospital. Paramedics can start lifesaving care on the way to the hospital. When you call 911, be prepared to give your location and detailed information about the situation. If you dial 911 by mistake, do not hang up; simply explain to the call-taker what happened. Beprepared Wherever you get care, it’s a good idea to take a list of your basic medical information with you. This can include the names of any prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and vitamins you take, along with their dosages; your allergies, especially to medications; and any previous medical procedures and surgeries, along with when they were done. Cost considerations No health care discussion would be complete without a few words on cost. Costs vary based on the facilities where you receive care. Equipping and staffing an ED to respond to medical emergencies is more expensive than operating a physician office or urgent care. This means care received in the ED will cost more than care received elsewhere. If you are having a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or visit the emergency room as soon as possible. If you do not need immediate, emergency care, consider using an urgent care or seeing your primary care provider to keep your costs as low as possible.
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