If you or a loved one suddenly experience one of the following conditions, please call 911 immediately:

• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Changes in vision
• Confusion or changes in mental status
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Difficulty breathing and/or shortness of breath
• Difficulty speaking
• Fainting, sudden dizziness and/or weakness
• Heart attack or severe chest pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Medically necessary detoxification
• Severe or unusual abdominal pain
• Stroke, sudden paralysis or slurred speech
• Sudden or severe pain of any type
• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Suicidal feelings

It’s important for patients to understand that Emergency Departments are for true emergencies. If you don’t know whether your emergency is life-threatening, please take the safe approach and come in.

However, if you don’t need this high level of care, consider other options like urgent care or a visit to your primary care physician – which are also more affordable.

Read more: How to choose between the ER, Urgent Care, Telehealth or Primary Care?