FAQ
What is a medical emergency?A life-threatening condition, brought on by sudden illness or accidental injury, which requires immediate treatment to prevent serious harm or further injury.
How long will I have to wait for care?Because emergencies are unscheduled events, emergency center wait times are dependent upon patient volume and urgency. The emergency center ensures patients will be seen based on the priority of their need. If you have a life-threatening emergency, you will be treated immediately.
Why would a person who registers after me be seen before me?Patients are seen based on the urgency of their medical problem. Critically ill patients always are seen before patients with less serious medical problems.
When is the best time to come?Patients with emergency conditions should come to the emergency center as soon as possible. Patients who do not need immediate attention should contact their primary doctor or go to an urgent care site, if they are unable to reach their doctor.
When is it appropriate to go to a Park Nicollet Clinic urgent care site?Minor emergencies are conditions that often need urgent care, but might not require a visit to the emergency center. Small cuts (less than 1 inch) are an example of a minor emergency. 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, at either a Park Nicollet urgent care site or clinic.
If I have private health insurance or if I come by ambulance, will I be seen more quickly?No. Patients are seen according to the urgency of their medical problem, not by their mode of transportation or their ability to pay.
What if I don't have health insurance?Federal law ensures equal access to emergency services, regardless of a person's ability to pay.
How and when am I billed?If you have health insurance, consult your carrier for guidelines about emergency medical services. Your health insurance policy defines all payment responsibility, including possible copayments. If you have a copayment, you will be billed for emergency services you received.
Do I need to call before I come to the emergency center?The best way to know if you should go to the emergency center is to speak with your doctor first. If you have a condition that requires immediate treatment and you are unable to contact your doctor, you should come to the emergency center. However, you do not need to call the emergency center first to be seen.
Who should I call in an emergency?If you are faced with a medical emergency, call 911. Speak calmly and clearly. Provide your name, address, telephone number, location and nature of the problem. Remain on the line until a dispatcher has gathered all necessary information.
What happens if I need to be admitted to the hospital?If you are to be admitted to the hospital, we will contact your primary doctor or transfer you to the care of one of our doctors.