When to Call Your Doctor and When to Go to the ER

When your health takes an unexpected turn, deciding whether to call your primary care office or head directly to the emergency room (ER) can feel overwhelming. Allowing your primary care doctor or advanced practice provider* (APP) to help you make that decision can save you time, money and even your life. This is especially true if you have any chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

When to call your doctor/APP

You should consider calling your primary care doctor or APP when you are not feeling well. A few reasons for this include their familiarity with your medical history and the fact they are equipped to handle a wide range of general health issues. Here are a few examples of when to call your doctor or APP:

• Persistent cough or cold
• Fevers
• Skin rashes, hives, or other unexplained skin conditions
• Problems with your digestion including constipation, nausea, or diarrhea
• Questions about starting therapy or any of your medications
• Generally feeling “unwell” or “off”

If you are managing a chronic condition, it is important to stay vigilant about your health. Here are a few examples of when it’s important to call your practice care team if you have one of these conditions.

• Diabetes:
  • consistent high or low blood sugar readings or readings that are irregular
  • Signs of an infection, such as a sore or redness around a wound.
  • dizziness, fatigue, or headaches related to blood sugar fluctuations

• Heart Failure:
  • Worsening fatigue or shortness of breath
  • Noticeable swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles
  • Weight gain (e.g., more than 3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week)
  • Palpitations or irregular heartbeats that aren’t accompanied by other severe symptoms

• COPD: (Be sure to check your COPD Action Plan for a personalized list of when to call your doctor/APP.)
  • Increased coughing or wheezing
  • An increase in mucus production or change in mucus color
  • Signs that you’re catching a cold, which may worsen COPD symptoms

When to go to the emergency room (ER)

The emergency room is designed to handle life-threatening conditions and severe injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Here are some symptoms and conditions that indicate you should call 911 or go straight to the ER:

• Chest pain or pressure, especially if it radiates to your arm or jaw (could indicate a heart attack)
• Difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath
• Sudden confusion, slurred speech, numbness, or weakness on one side of the body (possible stroke)
• Severe allergic reactions with difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or rapid heart rate
• Uncontrolled bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure
• Loss of consciousness or fainting
• Head injuries with loss of consciousness, vomiting, or confusion
• Intense abdominal pain especially if accompanied by bleeding.

Call Us First - Your health deserves immediate care when you need it. That is why Village Medical™ is so excited about Village Medical’s Call Us First program. This program is part of your Stay Well Care Plan and is for Village Medical patients to keep you “Staying Well” to avoid the need for the Emergency Room or being hospitalized. It gives you 24/7 access to a dedicated “Call Us First” Care Team with access to your medical information and can prescribe medications and give care advice. No question is too big or small for the “Call Us First” care team.

*An advanced practice provider includes a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.