Choosing the Right Level of Care

Sometimes, choosing the most appropriate type of care isn’t so simple. Here’s a quick summary of CHI Franciscan’s primary care, urgent care, Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care and emergency services, so knowing where to go is one less thing you’ll have to worry about.

Primary care: Your long-term partner

If the situation doesn’t require immediate care, turn to your primary care provider. He or she can provide routine health exams, regular screenings, vaccinations, prescription refills and treat illnesses, like the flu and ear infections, and minor injuries, partnering with you to follow your overall health.

Urgent care: Same-day care, no appointment necessary

For those times when you need care the same day, but your provider isn’t available — such as evenings and weekends — urgent care offers walk-in appointments and extended hours. CHI Franciscan clinics provide digital X-ray, stitches and care for minor injuries and illnesses, like cuts, lacerations, minor burns, sprains and infections.

Virtual urgent care: Where and when you need care

Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care is a supplement for in-person care, and provides an appointment via phone or video chat 24 hours a day with board-certified providers. Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care provides consultation, diagnosis and treatment, including prescriptions, as appropriate, all from the comfort of home — or on the go. In many cases, Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care can be there when the flu strikes at 2 a.m., a nasty cough develops during an important meeting or a camping trip is interrupted by a spider bite.

Emergency care

Life-threatening emergencies and trauma require emergency treatment. If you or a loved one have serious symptoms, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Services department or call 911 immediately. Our Emergency Services departments are open 24 hours a day. Symptoms that require emergency care include:

• Chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Deep cuts or bleeding that won’t stop
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Numbness in the face, arm or leg
• Seizures
• Severe abdominal pain
• Severe burns
• Sudden blurred vision
• Sudden dizziness, weakness, loss of coordination or balance
• Sudden, severe headache
• Any other condition you believe is life threatening