Life Threatening Emergencies

If you are faced with a life-threatening emergency, or if you are not sure an emergency exists, call 911.

It may or may not be obvious if you or someone you know is seriously ill or injured and requires emergency medical treatment. Understanding the signs of a life-threatening condition can help you take appropriate action. If you or a person for whom you are responsible, has a pre-existing medical condition or is at risk because of age or other factors, ask your doctor about specific warning signs that should prompt a visit to the emergency center.

The following is a partial list of common symptoms and conditions that may bring you to the emergency center. (Please note this list is not complete. Consider your health and past medical problems when weighing the urgency of the situation.)

• Chest pain—possible sign of heart attack, severe asthma attack or result of an injury or accident
• Shortness of breath—possible sign of heart attack, severe asthma attack or a severe allergic reaction
• Sudden or severe abdominal pain—possible sign of heart attack, appendicitis, aortic aneurysm, injury or accident
• Sudden confusion, loss of consciousness or any change in mental status—possible sign of stroke, meningitis, shock, dehydration, carbon monoxide poisoning, accident or injury
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Obvious broken bone

Urgent Care 

Some conditions require evaluation and treatment in an urgent care site, but do not need a visit to the emergency center. Many clinics have doctors on call after regular hours. Often your primary doctor, the on-call doctor, or a clinic nurse can advise you on how to reduce your discomfort, or how to arrange to see a doctor, if necessary.

Possible conditions that may prompt a visit to Urgent Care are as follows:

• earache in a child
• wounds requiring stitches
• broken bones and cuts from accidents or falls

The following Park Nicollet Health Services sites are available for your urgent care needs:

• Park Nicollet Urgent Care. Five urgent care sites are equipped to handle minor emergencies. All sites are open weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with select sites offering weekend hours. For operating hours, telephone numbers and directions, refer to Park Nicollet Urgent Care.

• Minor Emergency Area at Methodist Hospital's Emergency Center. The Minor Emergency Area is a "fast track" unit of the Emergency Center. It is open off-hours from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. when urgent care sites are closed.

Copayments and wait times may differ between urgent care facilities and the Emergency Center's Minor Emergency Area. Before a visit, consult your insurance carrier for information about copayments. If waiting times are a concern to you, call any Park Nicollet Urgent Care site to help you decide where to receive treatment.