[Jerseygirl08]

Originally Posted by TraceyMooreRN

The Emergency Room is for EMERGENCIES and for when Urgent Care Centers are closed. Urgent Care Centers are capable of treating fractures. They now have CT scans, Xray Machines, ability to take labs, urine samples, blood sugar samples and an MD there on site. If you passed out (fainted) and feel okay--urgent care can assess you and determine the need for the hospital.
If we could all spread the word--ER is for true emergencis. Possible STROKE patients, Acute Chest Pain...
When to go to the ER vs Urgent Care:
Coughing for a week, then decide you "can't take it anymore"--URGENT CARE
Trouble urinating --either pain, discomfort, lack thereof--URGENT CARE
Fever for a few days--URGENT CARE
Abdominal Pain--Scale of 10 (worst in your life THAT JUST STARTED)--ER..if the pain has been there and getting worse--URGENT CARE
Chest Pain- Left Arm Pain, Numbness/Tingling in Arm, Jaw Pain, Shoulder Pain--All new and nothing can be related to injury---ER, (CALL 911)

Unable to speak, slurred speech, weakness on one side of body (ER, CALL 911)

These are my opinions only as a RN. My opinion is --if you feel that you need to call 911 then you should be calling or head to the ER. If you feel you can drive yourself or get your neighbor to drive--then most times Urgent Care can meet your needs. If not- they will call 911 and transport you. Never delay treatment--if you feel something isn't right with yourself or a loved one--it probably isn't right and you need medical attention.

I hope with the new expansion of the TVRH ER department that the flow will work better for the community. However, without the community awareness of when to go to the Emergency Room vs Urgent Care--then you will continue to fight the long lines.

Well stated TraceyMRN. The UC's in TV are very good. Unless I was having a heart attack, stroke, or traumatic injury, anaphylaxis, etc., I'd much rather go to UC. I'm sure many will appreciate your post, even though it might be a little passionate (nurses are passionate about what they do).