Emergency Department Patient Information

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Do you have COVID symptoms? Understand what types of services are available for patients with COVID symptoms in the ER. Learn when to go to the hospital.

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Only very serious health problems such as severe bleeding, chest pain or signs of a stroke should bring you to the emergency room. These are problems that indicate someone may die or be severely injured if treatment is not received right away.

If the situation is not dire, please consider visiting your nearest urgent care center instead. You will likely be seen quicker at an urgent care center than you would in the emergency department. The emergency department is designed to ensure that patients are seen as quickly as possible and receive the highest quality care 24-hours a day, however wait times can sometimes be longer for patients with less severe issues.

If you do need to visit our emergency room, you can expect a quick registration process followed by a speedy triage review with one of our nurses. After triage, you will be seen by one or more members of our team, which includes board-certified physicians, advanced practice nurses and specialized emergency room technicians.

When You Shouldn't Wait For Help

Only very serious health problems should bring you to University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus' emergency room. These problems might make you think that someone will die or be severely hurt if he or she doesn't get treatment right away. Problems might include:

• Severe bleeding
• Head injuries
• Passing out
• Severe trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Sudden vision problems
• Change in mental status, such as confusion
• Signs or symptoms of stroke such as: trouble walking and speaking, paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg.

When to Use Urgent Care

Go to an urgent care center if you need help for a minor health problem and your doctor's office is closed. Also, if you need immediate help when you are not close to your doctor's office, go to urgent care. You will usually have a shorter wait for care. The doctors can treat problems like these:

• Broken bones
• Sprains
• Ear infections
• Sinus infections and sore throats
• Mild allergic reactions
• Mild asthma
• Fever or rash
• Animal bites

If you do not have a primary care physician, we can help you find one.

After hours care is available a certain sites.