Urgent versus Emergency Care

Prepare yourself for life’s unexpected moments. Know when to go to the Emergency Department for medical care and when you should be treated at an urgent care clinic.

WHEN TO GO TO NORTH OAKS URGENT CARE

• Abscesses without fever
• Allergic reaction (non-life threatening)
• Allergies
• Back, neck and joint pain
• Bladder problems
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Cough and congestion
• COVID-19 without complications
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing (ssthma)
• Ear infection
• Fever
• Headache and migraine
• Insect bites and stings
• Lacerations
• Minor broken bones and fractures
• Minor burns
• Minor object removal (fish Hooks, splinters)
• Minor wounds
• Nausea
• Pink eye
• Sinus pain
• Skin rash without fever
• Sore throat
• Sprains and strains
• Upper respiratory infection
• Urinary tract infections
• Vomiting
• Worker’s comp injury treatment
• Occupational health services (Hammond and Walker)

WHEN TO GO TO AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

North Oaks Urgent Care is not equipped to take care of life-threatening emergencies.

Don’t waste time if you’re experiencing these serious conditions. Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. Note: this is not an exhaustive list of conditions that may require emergency care.

• Abscesses with fever
• Chest pain or squeezing sensation in chest
• Flu with complications, including breathing difficulties, high fever and unresponsiveness
• Foreign object stuck in body
• Head trauma
• High blood sugar
• Fever of 103ºF or higher; fever with rash
• Intense headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Open wounds or severed limbs
• Poisoning or suspected overdose of medications
• Seizure
• Serious burns
• Mental health issues
• Severe abdominal pain
• Severe broken bones
• Severe physical pain
• Shortness of breath
• Skin infections or abscess
• Sudden change in vision
• Sudden paralysis or slurred speech
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Unexplained slurred speech