A Trip to the ER: Help Us Help You

When to go to the Emergency Room

Some conditions for which you should go to the emergency room:

Loss of consciousness
Serious traumatic injury (i.e. to the head)
Signs of a heart attack lasting longer than two minutes (may include pressure, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest, and/or chest pain with lightheadedness.
In women, the symptoms could also include pain between the shoulder blades, pain radiating down the arm and nausea)
Signs of a stroke (may include weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body; sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye; loss of speech or trouble talking or understanding speech)
Bleeding, that in spite of direct pressure for ten minutes, does not stop
Instantaneous and severe pain
Significant shortness of breath
Allergic reaction to a food, medication, or insect sting, especially if breathing becomes difficult
Poisoning (Note: If at all possible, first contact the local poison control center; request immediate applicable advice, since some poisons must be vomited immediately while other poisons much be diluted with water. Acting quickly in this manner can save a life.)
Unexplained prolonged stupor, drowsiness, or disorientation
Vomiting or coughing up blood
Severe or persistent vomiting
Suicidal or homicidal feelings
Neck stiffness or rash with fever
Earaches or headaches

Some conditions that generally do not require a trip to the emergency room:

Colds, coughs, sore throat, or flu symptoms
Chronic condition (i.e. back pain, knee pain) which has occurred continuously for several months
Fever (if in a newborn or if remains high for prolonged period of time, call your doctor or got to the ER)
Minor cuts in which bleeding has been stopped
Sprain, sunburn, minor burn
Insect sting (unless experiencing difficulty breathing, which requires immediate medical attention)
Animal bite (call your doctor in the event a rabies shot is needed)

For forms that you can complete ahead of time and keep in your vehicle to have convenient access to them should you need to go to the ER: