THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
If you are sick and need help deciding what kind of care you need, you can call the MetroHealth Line at (216) 778-7878, 1-800-332-4060 or TDD#778-3889.

The MetroHealth Line can provide you with the most up-to-date health information right over the phone. Staffed by registered nurses, they will be happy to answer any of your questions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can provide you with information on a wide range of health and medical topics, help you find a physician, and schedule an appointment for you.

URGENT CARE
Urgent care is defined as an unexpected illness or injury that is NOT life threatening but requires outpatient medical care that cannot be postponed. An urgent situation requires prompt medical attention to avoid complications.

Remember urgent care is NOT emergency care. Urgent care is needed for conditions that require attention sooner than a normal appointment, but are NOT life-threatening.

Examples of the kind of health problems that need urgent care include but are not limited to:

• Cuts and lacerations
• Minor burns
• Earaches
• Sprains
• Skin rashes

When urgent care is needed, call your primary care physician before getting treatment. Depending on your needs, you may be instructed to come to your physician’s office or to another appropriate facility.

EMERGENCY CARE
An emergency is defined as a sudden and unexpected medical condition or worsening of a condition that can threaten your life, your limbs or sight and requires immediate treatment.

Conditions which require emergency care could include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Poisoning
• Suicide attempts
• Drug overdose
• Major depression

To stay healthy, you must take care of problems before they become serious. The emergency department should NOT be used for regular check-ups.

When TO GO to the Emergency Department
Go to the Emergency Department for life-threatening medical conditions that require immediate attention to prevent death or disability. Some examples of emergencies are:

• Bleeding that does not stop
• Heart attack (or chest pain)
• Drug or other poisoning
•  Major burns
• Loss of consciousness

When NOT TO GO to the Emergency Department
You should not go to the Emergency Department for routine care or minor problems such as:

• Colds or coughs
• Sore throats
• Tooth pain
• Medicine or medicine refills
• Vomiting or diarrhea that lasts less than one day.

Instead, call your primary care physician.