6 RiversideHealthcare.org When a health issue comes up, knowing where to go can save time, money and even lives. Here, we turn to Liberty Erfe, DNP, RN, Director of Population Health at Riverside Healthcare. She explains how to decide between the emergency room, immediate care and primary care. Erfe has worked at Riverside for more than two decades. She started ER, immediate care or primary care: HOW TO KNOW WHERE TO GO as a nurse assistant and now leads programs that help patients get the right care at the right time. “It is important for patients to know where to go before a medical issue arises,” she states. “Having a plan helps minimize stress and confusion when emotions run high and every second counts.” Understanding the differences The emergency room (ER) is for life-threatening or severe conditions that need immediate treatment. This includes: ● Chest pain ● Head trauma ● Severe abdominal pain ● Major injuries It is also the place for when signs of a stroke appear. For example, sudden confusion, facial drooping or weakness on one side of the body. These are situations where minutes can make the difference between survival and recovery. Immediate care is the place to go for non-life-threatening problems
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