Illnesses and injuries often happen at the least convenient times, like when you’re running late and sprain an ankle or when you wake up in the middle of the night with a fever.

When these situations occur, you might be unsure about where to go for care. Knowing when to visit your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic or your nearest emergency room can help you get the best care for your needs, while saving you time and money.

Care from your primary care provider

When you aren’t feeling well, your primary care provider is often the best place to start. Your provider can help treat your condition in their office or with at-home remedies, saving you time and reducing your health care costs.

Care from an urgent care or walk-in clinic

When your symptoms can’t wait for an appointment, or it’s outside of regular business hours, visit an urgent care clinic. You can walk in and see a provider right away for nonemergency conditions. Urgent care visits usually cost a fraction of what emergency room visits do.

Conditions that can be treated during an urgent care visit:

• Body aches
• Colds
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Earache
• Fever below 104°
• Headaches and migraines
• Minor burns
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rash
• Sore throat
• Strains and sprains
• Urinary tract infection

Care from your nearest emergency room (ER) or by calling 911

When you or someone you know has a life-threatening condition, call 911 or go to your nearest ER. Emergency rooms are always open and have trained specialists on call 24 hours every day.

Conditions that require immediate attention include: 

• Allergic reactions
• Severe broken bones
• Chest pain
• Deep wounds
• Difficulty speaking
• Fever above 104°
• Head trauma
• Heat illness
• Heavy bleeding
• Overdose
• Seizure or numbness
• Severe abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath

Have questions about where to go?

Call My Sanford Nurse to have an experienced nurse assess your symptoms and point you in the right direction. If you live in North Dakota or northwest Minnesota, call (800) 821-5167. Or if you live in South Dakota, southwest Minnesota or northwest Iowa, call (800) 445-5788.