Primary Care, Urgent Care or Emergency?

Sudden illness or injury can happen at any time, so it is important to know what to do and where to go if you or a loved one needs medical attention. Knowing the proper level of care necessary saves time, which can be a critical factor with the onset of illness or an emergency. Washington Health provides all levels of care, but how do you know when to call your primary care physician (PCP), when to go to Urgent Care, or when to visit the Emergency Department (ED)?

Washington Health Trauma Center Medical Director Chet Morrison, MD, will present a brief, informative seminar called, “Choosing the Right Care: PCP, Urgent Care or Emergency?” on Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. Viewers can watch live at YouTube.com/@Washington_Health. For those who miss the live presentation, the video will also be added to the Washington Health library of videos featuring health care experts.

Available Levels of Care

Most people know to visit their doctor for routine checkups and ongoing care. For those with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, it is important to keep in touch with a PCP to monitor your health and help manage medications. Family medicine doctors and other PCPs can also provide referrals to specialists when needed. It is recommended to call your doctor’s office for mild or non-urgent symptoms that arise, so a virtual or in-person visit can be scheduled if needed. If you don’t have access to a PCP or if your doctor’s office is closed when you have immediate medical concerns, other options are available.

A new Washington Health Urgent Care Center opened near Walgreens at 2682 Mowry Ave. in Fremont on Dec. 17. This new medical facility offers walk-in treatment for a wide range of common health concerns, including minor injuries like cuts and sprains, and illnesses like colds and flu. Unlike an emergency department, the Urgent Care is designed for conditions that require prompt attention but are not life-threatening, helping reduce wait times and medical costs for patients. Now, urgent care patients of all ages have access to board-certified doctors seven days a week for extended daily hours. Patients can also get an X-ray if needed. To see a list of accepted insurance plans, visit WashingtonHealth.com/UrgentCare.

The Washington Health Emergency Department is open 24/7/365, offering unscheduled care to patients requiring immediate attention. Located in the Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion with an entrance on Civic Center Drive, the ED is available for emergent conditions like stroke and heart attack, as well as injuries, infections, and other illnesses. For more critically ill or injured patients, the Washington Health Trauma Center opened in 2024, bringing much needed lifesaving care to Southern Alameda County. This level II trauma center provides round-the-clock availability of trauma surgeons and prompt access to various medical specialties like orthopedics, neurosurgery, and cardiology, along with an ongoing commitment to community safety and injury prevention education.

With our aging population and an automobile versus pedestrian rate in the Bay Area being four times the national average, accidents happen. Having a full range of advanced treatment and top-tier medical care available within the community brings peace of mind to local residents. But when a sickness comes on or an emergency occurs, it is important to know who to call and where to go for help. For life-threatening or severe conditions like chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, and severe allergic reactions, always call 911 or go to the Emergency Department.

Dr. Morrison will cover in detail what levels of medical services are available locally. Be sure to watch his presentation so you will know whether to call your doctor, go to Urgent Care or the ED in times of illness or injury. For more information on Dr. Morrison and the Washington Health Trauma Center, visit WashingtonHealth.com/Trauma or scan the QR code below.