Know Where to Go

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A guide to help you choose the best place to go for your health care needs.

Whether it’s a minor illness or a major injury, the last thing you want to do is wonder if you should wait to see your primary care physician (PCP), head to an Urgent Care or go to the Emergency Room. We hope to make this decision a little easier for you!

PRIMARY CARE

Need a doctor? To maintain and optimize your health, it's important to establish an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider (PCP) whom you trust and work well with. Your PCP is your main healthcare contact in non-emergency situations. His or her main role is to provide you with comprehensive, preventive care. You should make an appointment with your primary care provider for:

  • Regular physicals, prescription refills, vaccinations, and screenings
  • General health maintenance and check-ups
  • Management of chronic health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and anxiety
  • Specialist referrals
  • Any health problem for which you need advice

Inova Medical Group promotes convenient patient access with same day appointments, extended hours, and weekend availability. Call 1-855-IMG-DOCS (855-464-3627) to schedule an appointment today.

Visit the Inova Medical Group site to find a doctor near you 

URGENT CARE

Urgent care centers are an excellent alternative to a hospital emergency room (ER) when immediate medical care is needed for non-life threatening conditions like the flu, X-rays for sprains and strains and stitches for minor cuts.

If you're unable to schedule an appointment with your PCP, these facilities are open daily with extended hours and treat walk-in patients of all ages. Heading to the nearest urgent care center for non-life threatening conditions can help you save time and money!

  • Bacterial and viral illnesses (e.g. the flu, bronchitis, strep throat, urinary tract infections)
  • X-rays for sprains, strains and fractures
  • Cuts that require stitches
  • Flu shots and vaccines
  • Minor burns and rashes
  • Insect bites and stings

Urgent care facilities usually are open daily – even on weekends and holidays. They offer evening hours and treat walk-in patients of all ages.

Find your nearest Urgent Care locations 

EMERGENCY ROOMS

If you have a serious or life-threatening medical concern, you should not wait to see or talk to your doctor. Call 911 or head to nearest emergency room for:

  • Chest Pain
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Severe pain of any other body part
  • Sudden weakness, dizziness, loss of balance
  • Sudden numbness on face, arm, leg
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Coughing blood or vomiting blood
  • Seizures
  • Severe bleeding
  • Severe burns
  • Broken bones
  • Poisonings/drug overdose
  • Sudden bleeding during pregnancy
  • Very high fever

Emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

View our list of 24/7 Emergency Care locations 

**Emergency rooms are not the right place for common illnesses or minor injuries. Emergency rooms should only be utilized for emergencies.