When a lingering sore throat will not respond to over-the-counter medications or a thunderous headache arrives out of nowhere, it is time to seek treatment from a medical professional.
About 155 million emergency department visits occurred in the United States in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When deciding where to turn for prompt, appropriate care, several factors come into play.
For life-threatening injuries, call 911. Emergency responders are trained to know which course of action to take, such as stabilizing patients for safe transport to a hospital.
Life-threatening conditions include sudden loss of responsiveness, shortness of breath, tightening/discomfort in the chest or other parts of the upper body, sudden numbness/weakness in the face, arms or legs, confusion or trouble speaking, trouble walking or seeing, dizziness or sudden severe headache.
In non-life-threatening situations, the decision may be less clear on whether to seek help from a primary care provider, immediate care center or emergency department.
Many primary care providers offer a limited number of same-day appointments to accommodate patients with urgent needs. If no openings are available, an immediate care center or emergency department are the remaining options.
The severity of the injury or illness is a top indicator of which is best.
St. Catherine Hospital recently expanded its Emergency Department by nearly 2,000 square feet. Among the features is an exclusive waiting area for patients with emergency behavioral health needs and five exam rooms dedicated to those patients.
“With more room and design efficiencies, this project leads to a better patient experience and offers a supportive workplace for our healthcare providers,” said Leo Correa, CEO of St. Catherine Hospital.
St. Mary Medical Center expanded its emergency services in 2024 by opening a location in neighboring Valparaiso. The 8,000-square-foot Emergency Department is open 24/7 at St. Mary Medical Center Outpatient Center, 3800 St. Mary Drive.
“Due to tremendous support and growth at our Valparaiso facility, we expanded our services to better serve our community,” said Janice Ryba, CEO of St. Mary Medical Center.
Healthcare providers accept patients on a walk-in basis, no appointment needed, at five Immediate Care locations across Northwest Indiana:
- Powers Health Immediate Care, 10215 Broadway, Crown Point
- Powers Health Immediate Care, 10240 Calumet Ave., Munster
- Powers Health Immediate Care, 7651 Harvest Drive, Schererville
- Powers Health Immediate Care, 9660 Wicker Ave., St. John
- Powers Health Immediate Care, 1451 W. Morthland Drive, Valparaiso
Medical history is an important consideration when deciding between an emergency department or an immediate care center. People dealing with a severe chronic medical illness, are immunocompromised or are frequently hospitalized are more likely to require care at an emergency department.
While emergency departments offer a broader range of services, the Immediate Care Centers of Powers Health are equipped and staffed with healthcare providers who are able to test, diagnose and treat patients for a wide scope of conditions.
The state-of-the-art facilities offer laboratory testing as well as a variety of medical imaging. With fully equipped, spacious exam rooms and experienced physicians specialized in family, internal and emergency medicine, Powers Health is ready and willing to take care of your urgent healthcare needs.
The emergency department is the best place for people experiencing the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Allergic reaction with difficulty breathing
- Broken bones
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Electrical shock
- Loss of consciousness
- Physical trauma
- Poison ingestion
- Severe back/side pain
- Severe burns
- Severe vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Suicidal thoughts
- Uncontrolled bleeding
An emergency department also is the best option for patients who need prompt medical attention when immediate care centers are closed.
When medical attention is needed urgently but the injury or illness is less severe in nature, immediate care is a good choice.
Patients experiencing the following should consider immediate care:
- Abscess
- Cold symptoms
- Earache
- Eye infection
- Flu symptoms
- Minor allergic reactions (without difficulty breathing)
- Minor animal bites
- Minor burns
- Rash
- Simple cuts/lacerations
- Sprain/strain
- Skin infection
- Urinary discomfort
The Immediate Care Centers of Powers Health have extended and weekend hours. The Emergency Departments of Powers Health – at Community Hospital in Munster, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart and Valparaiso – are open around the clock every day.
