Feeling distressed from pain or illness can make deciding where to turn for help a bit perplexing. And, as we enter into Southwest Florida’s busy snowbird season, running to the emergency room isn’t always the best option. Lee Memorial Health System offers services in many settings to accommodate different levels of care. It’s best to make an informed decision about when and where to seek medical care based on the level appropriate to treat your particular illness or condition.
When to head to a walk-in clinic:
Lee Convenient Care walk-in medical centers are ideal for sprains, strains, cuts, rashes, colds, flu or work-related injuries. They can also handle broken bones as long as the bone has not broken through the skin.
Walk-in care is appropriate when:
your primary care doctor is unavailable
you do not have a regular doctor
you have an illness or injury that is not life-threatening and needs prompt care
you have routine health issues.
Lee Convenient Care centers are designed to provide quality, cost-efficient care in a short time frame for those in need of prompt or minor emergency care. Appointments and referrals are not required. Convenient Care centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, and can be found throughout Lee County. Board-certified physicians, as well as registered nurses and support personnel, are on staff full time. Lab and X-ray services are available on-site.
When to head to the emergency department (ED):
Emergency care deals with illness or injury severe enough to require immediate medical attention. The doctors, nurses and technicians are highly trained to provide rapid assessment and treatment of any patient with an emergency. Remember the ABCs – airways, breathing, circulation. If you have trouble breathing, or think you are having a heart attack, call an ambulance. You should visit the ED for: uncontrolled bleeding; severe abdominal pain; or sudden slurred speech or numbness, as these are both signs of a stroke.
Emergency care is appropriate for:
unusually severe symptoms that you believe to be an emergency
life-threatening illness or injury
a minor emergency but do not have access to a doctor or a walk-in care center
EDs are always open, but the most severe cases are treated first. Visits to the ED can be time consuming if your condition is not an emergency and is not life-threatening. In such cases, Lee Convenient Care might be a better option.
When you need a primary care physician (PCP):
A primary care physician, or general doctor, is the first level of health care. They typically specialize in internal medicine, family practice and pediatrics. Many women use gynecologists as their PCP. It’s a good idea to visit your doctor annually for preventive care and to detect illness at an early stage, before it requires immediate attention or becomes an emergency.
PCP care is appropriate for:
health maintenance
immunizations
screening tests for communicable diseases and cancers
treatment of minor injuries and common complaints
management of acute and chronic illnesses
PCPs and their patients usually establish long-term relationships. By knowing your medical history, a PCP is best equipped to make recommendations that keep you healthy. Walk-in clinics are wonderful for after-hours emergencies, but they are not a substitute for PCPs.
If you have questions about which facility to use, call one of Lee Memorial Health System’s Convenient Care walk-in clinics. They can assist you in making the correct choice. If you would like assistance finding a primary care doctor, please call physician referral at (239) 481-4111.