Summertime Survival Guide: Emergency Room or Walk-in Clinic?
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Unexpected health emergencies can be stressful and overwhelming. Know when to choose a Walk-In Clinic or the Emergency Room (ER).
The first step in getting on the road to recovery is to decide whether to head to the ER or be treated at a Walk-In Clinic. If your condition is not life-threatening, visit a Walk-In Clinic where you can see a physician or nurse practitioner without an appointment and get medical consultation and/or treatment.
Examples of Walk-In conditions include:
- allergies
- sinus infections
- cuts or unexpected bruising
- bladder infections
- insect bites and stings
- flu symptoms
- minor illnesses or injuries.
Don’t waste precious moments if your situation is life-threatening. Go directly to the ER for treatment of:
- uncontrollable bleeding
- disorientation or mental confusion
- sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
- numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs
- severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea
- symptoms of a stroke or heart attack, chest pain or pressure
- pregnancy with bleeding
- difficulty breathing
- sudden severe headache
- fainting or seizures
- sudden loss or change in vision
- intent to harm yourself or others.
The North Oaks Medical Center Emergency Department is one of the busiest in Louisiana. Because critical or life-threatening cases are treated first, there may be a wait in the Emergency Room (ER) for less critical or non-life threatening emergencies. While the average waiting period across the country is from 2 to 4 hours for non-critical cases, it could be even longer at busy times. So, consider whether your condition can be treated at a Walk-In Clinic or whether you should go directly to the ER.
North Oaks Walk-In Clinics are available in Hammond, Ponchatoula and Walker.
North Oaks Walk-In Clinics are open to treat most illnesses and minor traumatic injuries without an appointment. Clinics are staffed with family and emergency medicine-trained physicians who are qualified to care for patients of all ages – from infants (ages 6 months and older) to senior adults. On-site diagnostic X-ray and laboratory services also are available.
