08/25/2026
Reminders from our friends in FD3
Not Every Medical Concern Requires 911.
When you, or a loved one, are sick or injured it can be hard to know where to go for medical care. For true emergencies, always call 911. But for many non-life-threatening medical concerns, a local walk-in clinic or your primary care doctor may be the better place to start.
Walk-In clinics and primary care doctors provide care for non-emergency medical needs and can often see patients faster than waiting in the Emergency Room for conditions that are not life-threatening. Using walk-in clinics and primary care providers for minor illnesses and injuries also helps keep emergency responders and emergency rooms available for life-threatening conditions.
The walk-in clinic and primary care doctors may be most appropriate for things like:
-Cold, cough, flu, or COVID-like symptoms
-Sore throat or earaches
-Sinus infections
-Minor cuts, scrapes, or burns
-Sprains, strains, or minor injuries
-Rashes or minor skin infections
-Mild allergic reactions without breathing problems
-Urinary tract infection symptoms
-Minor eye irritation
-Medication questions or minor illness concerns
Call 911 or go to the Emergency Room for conditions such as:
-Chest pain or pressure
-Trouble breathing
-Stroke symptoms, including face drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty
-Severe bleeding
-Major trauma or serious injury
-Loss of consciousness
-Severe allergic reaction with swelling or breathing difficulty
-Seizures
-Severe burns
-Sudden severe pain
-Any condition that feels life-threatening
Choosing the right level of care matters. If your condition is not an emergency, going directly to the walk-in clinic or your primary care doctor may save you time and help emergency responders remain available for critical calls.
