Getting The Right Care For Your Medical Emergency

If you have a medical emergency or have a family member that needs immediate care, knowing where to take them or who to call is critical for a positive outcome. Not every emergency care facility is the same, and understanding the differences can make a world of difference in the kind and level of care you receive from them.

Emergent Care Facilities

In many neighborhoods and towns, small walk-in clinics are common. For injuries that require a few stitches or an illness that you need to see a doctor for, these clinics fill a gap for people. They are not a good option for someone having a heart attack or stroke, but for a sprained ankle, a cut that needs care, or other minor illnesses, they can be the fastest way to get the care you need.

Hospital Emergency Rooms

The emergency room at your local hospital is able to handle most medical emergencies. Because the emergency room is part of the larger, well-funded facility, they have access to the latest diagnostic equipment and have large staffs with doctors, nurses, and physician assistants that can see a high volume of patients, while maintaining a high level of care.

Privately-funded hospitals are often the ones with the best equipment because they operate as a business. This often translates to better care for the people being seen in these hospitals but can also mean a larger bill as a result of the care you receive.

Publicly-funded emergency rooms do not always have the same equipment, but they offer care to anyone with or without insurance and have a staff dedicated to treating everyone, no matter what their need level is.

Trauma Centers

Trauma centers are by far the most technically advanced care facilities available, and the tools they have on hand help them to deal with the highest level emergencies and the most critical patients. Trauma centers are typically located in cities or areas with large populations because that is where the need is most common.

These facilities often receive patients that are flown in on helicopters with critical needs  Often the patients coming into a trauma center have life-threatening injuries or illnesses and can not wait to be treated.

These centers also seek out the best specialist doctors, surgeons, and nurses to work in them, helping maintain the level of care that is so important for the patients coming in.

Contact a medical emergency service like Advance ER if you need emergency medical care.


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