If you are sick or injured, you face a range of options for where to seek care – from urgent care to your primary care provider to the emergency room and more – but picking the right option can speed the process on your path to feeling better.

“Our caregivers want to provide you with the best care available, and choosing the right place to receive that care will greatly help us in doing that,” said Jim McGovern, MD, the chief hospital executive of PeaceHealth’s Oregon network. “We offer a number of locations around Lane County, and each is best suited for certain ailments. We want to ensure our patients go to the location with the caregivers and resources than can best serve them.”

The severity of the injury, ailment or illness and the urgency in treatment they require will determine your first step. Who needs the care also figures into the decision: Is the person you’re taking to the visit a newborn with a high fever or an 85-year-old with a heart condition?

Of course, if you have a medical emergency, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.

Whether it’s a call to a triage nurse, making an appointment at a same-day facility or visiting the emergency room, patients can get on the right path toward recovery by taking advantage of the right resource for them.

Here’s a general guide for finding the service that best suits your needs:

Priority Care — for illnesses and injuries that aren’t life-threatening

If you need to be seen outside of your primary care provider’s office hours, consider a clinic that has same-day, drop-in or urgent care.

These clinics, called Priority Care, same-day or urgent care, offer many of the same services as primary care clinics. They are often open evenings, weekends and holidays. You may be able to drop in without an appointment, or you can book your visit ahead of time.

In Eugene/Springfield, these include the Urgent Care at PeaceHealth University District and the PeaceHealth Valley River Pediatrics Plus Clinic, and in Cottage Grove at Priority Care at PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center.

Immediate care is best for things that need to be seen within days. Think of things that won’t get better on their own and that may get worse if left untreated. This includes:

  • Asthma attacks
  • Boils, cysts, abscesses, rashes and other skin conditions
  • Injuries from falls
  • Minor to moderate burns or cuts that need stitches
  • Prescriptions to treat common infections (sinus, ear, urinary tract, strep throat, pneumonia, etc.)
  • Sprains or breaks of hands, fingers, arms, toes or feet
  • Sudden sharp or shooting pain that doesn’t go away (if you’re having chest pain, go to the emergency room)
  • Symptoms of sexually transmitted infections

These are just a few examples of what you can be seen for at a clinic that offers immediate care. As with PCP visits, these types of clinics cost less than going to the ER. Here’s how you can learn more about Priority Care.

Emergency care — for conditions that may lead to a loss of life or limb

For serious illnesses or injuries, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

The ER is the right place for conditions that need treatment or test results, scans and X-rays right away.

ERs see patients according to how severe their conditions are. Keep in mind that if someone with a more serious or life-threatening condition arrives after you, they may see the doctor sooner.

Call 911 or go to the ER for things that should be seen within minutes or hours. This includes:

  • Broken legs, hips, shoulders, head/skull, neck or back
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Head and eye injuries
  • Passing out
  • Severe bleeding that won’t stop
  • Sudden blurred vision or loss of vision

Emergency care usually costs more than other kinds of care. But it can mean saving a life or having the chance for full recovery.

When in doubt, don’t put off care. If someone is having an emergency, call 911 or get medical help right away.

Primary care — for conditions that need preventive or ongoing care and are not life-threatening

In general, if you have a primary care provider, think of your PCP first. The only time this doesn’t apply is if your illness or injury is life-threatening. Then call 911 or go to the hospital near you.

Seek care from your primary care provider for things that need to be seen within weeks, such as:

  • Immunizations
  • Labor & Industry (also known as workers’ comp) for injuries that happen on the job
  • Management of chronic conditions or pain
  • Management of ongoing allergies
  • Medication review
  • Yearly check-ups and screenings
  • Yearly child wellness checks and sports physicals

These are just a few of the concerns that can be treated at a primary care clinic.

Why primary care first? Because your primary care provider’s office knows you and your health history. They handle a wide variety of concerns. And for services they don’t offer, they’ll help you find other doctors or places that provide what you need. They also may help smooth the way for you to be seen sooner. And it usually costs less to see a PCP than to go to an emergency room.

You can call your PCP’s office to make an appointment. You might also be able to book an appointment online through your provider’s patient portal, such as My PeaceHealth. You can also use the portal to send messages to your doctor, view test results and review instructions or notes from past visits, among other things.

Remember, call 911 or go the emergency room if time is critical. If not, thinking about your care options up front can help you save time and connect you with the best resources to get your recovery underway.