Mercy Emergency Centers

Talk to your Doctor

Talk to your regular doctor before you have an emergency.
Ask what you should do if you think someone in your family needs emergency care. Should you call the doctor's office first? Should you go straight to the emergency department? What should you do when the doctor's office is closed?

Many other factors, including the time of day, other medical problems or state of mind, can make an otherwise minor medical problem an "emergency."

Trust your instincts. If you are alarmed by unusually severe symptoms that you believe could be an emergency, it's best to seek care.