eMERGENCY care OR URGENT CARE?

Choosing between emergency care or urgent care can be a difficult decision.

Your reason for needing medical attention will help you select between the two. A medical emergency is any medical condition in which you risk death or disability without immediate medical care. In these situations, you should obtain immediate emergency care. For any non-life-threatening conditions or injuries, you should seek attention from your local urgent care.

When to Obtain Emergency Care

Emergency care is treatment for a condition that requires prompt attention and may pose an immediate, serious health threat. Emergency care is most appropriate for the following symptoms:

Salinas Valley Health Medical Center – 450 East Romie Lane

Chest pain
Any loss of consciousness
Deep cuts, bleeding that will not stop
Severe burns, electric shock
Signs of stroke including facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech or difficulty forming words.
Sudden dizziness, weakness or loss of coordination or balance
Severe abdominal pain
Sudden, severe headache
Sudden blurred vision
Difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions, choking
Injuries from a car accident, falls from a significant height, after swallowing poison
Serious head or neck injuries, seizures
Bone fractures with open wounds
High fever that doesn’t improve with medication
Suspicion of exposure to a serious communicable disease
As directed by your doctor

When to Seek Urgent Care

Urgent care is treatment for a condition that requires prompt attention but does not pose an immediate, serious health threat. Salinas Valley Health has eight Doctors on Duty (an affiliate) urgent care locations in the Central Coast region. Urgent care is most appropriate for the following symptoms:

Colds, coughs, sore throat, sinus infection, upper respiratory infection, flu, fever
Minor injuries such as sprain, minor cuts including need for stitches, minor burns
Vomiting, diarrhea
Minor bone fractures
Allergies, rashes, ear and eye infections
Dizziness, nausea
Migraines
Urinary tract infections
COVID testing and treatment
Minor work injuries
Childhood illnesses
Immigration physicals and sports physicals
Prescription refills
If your doctor can’t be reached and the condition isn’t serious
As directed by your doctor

If you are having difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, an injury that threatens your life or limb, or signs of stroke or heart attack, call 911. Do not drive yourself to the Emergency Department.