People have varying levels of composure and presence of mind when they encounter an urgent situation. Some people seem to be built for these types of situations, while others fare better when there are precautions set in place ahead of time to help cope with the problem. One such example would be knowing where your local urgent care centers are located and having emergency room numbers handy as well.
Being prepared for emergency situations
It is not a good thing to live in fear. Worrying about every little thing that could possibly go wrong has a way of paralyzing a person and greatly diminishing his or her quality of life. It simply is not an ideal way to exist. There is a difference, however, between living in fear and being prepared for what could go wrong. Being aware of dangers and possibilities can help you be ready if a difficult situation arises, but there is no sense in living in fear of it happening.
There are a number of ways that you can put your mind at ease by being prepared. Having a first aid kit on hand is always a good idea. It is also good to have a fire extinguisher handy, especially if you have a fireplace or enjoy lighting candles. Some people keep a bag packed and easily accessible in the event that an emergency requires them to quickly leave the house for an extended period of time. Everyone is different, and there is a wide variety of actions that can be taken.
Getting the necessary help quickly
There are some pretty standard steps that you can take to prepare for difficult situations or emergencies. Writing out a list of doctors and keeping it in an easily accessible location is a good idea. The contact information for the local police, fire crews, first responders, and your veterinarian if you have a pet are all important to have as well. If there are others in your home such as visiting family members or babysitters, keep that list of local doctors, emergency room numbers, and other vital services in a prominent location. Good places for those lists might be on the fridge or hanging by the calendar, and this can help to ensure that even in your absence, the right people will be contacted.
Knowing when to get to the medical clinic
So you have the emergency room number. But deciding when to go there, as opposed to your regular doctor or an urgent care center can be confusing in some scenarios. Of course, there are the drastically urgent medical issues that should be rushed to the emergency room right away. However some things can wait until you make an appointment with your doctor, like a cold or illness that has zapped your energy. And what more and more people are realizing is that urgent care centers are a good alternative to emergency rooms, for a number of reasons.
Emergency rooms are notorious for the steep bills that come your way after even the quickest of visits. Many urgent care clinics are offering more and more of the type of treatment that emergency rooms do, but at a fraction of the cost. In some cases, a visit to the emergency room can cost 10 times as much as a visit to urgent care. And for those skeptical of the type of treatment available at an urgent care center, most treat everything from upper respiratory conditions and dizziness to fractures and wounds in need of stitches. The majority of urgent care centers are also open every day of the week, some with longer hours than a typical medical office.
It is always good to have the emergency room number. But knowing that you have options in a time of need is crucial as well.