When to call 911 or go to the ER

This page is part of the LOVE Columbia information library website. To contact the organization listed below, please follow links or phone numbers given within the article.
—————————————————————————————————
Whenever an illness or injury occurs, you need to decide how serious it is and how soon to get medical care. This will help you choose whether it is best to:

• Call or contact your health care provider

• Go to an urgent care clinic

• Go to an emergency department right away

It pays to think about the right place to go. Treatment in an emergency department can cost 2 to 3 times more than the same care in your provider's office. In addition, your health insurance may require you to pay a higher copayment for care in an emergency department.

When to use the emergency room - adult:  National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine