Emergency vs. Urgent Care—Where should I go?

(513) 454-1133

When to visit your doctor’s office
Visit your primary care provider for care and treatment of non-urgent issues. Your doctor is your partner in good health and is most familiar with your medical history. Your primary care provider gives routine care and treatment when it is not an emergency.

Visit your doctor's office for:

  • Routine well visits
  • Preventive care
  • Immunizations or shots
  • Diabetes
  • Rashes
  • Cold and flu symptoms
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Sprains and strains
  • High blood pressure
  • Tooth pain
  • Sore throat
  • Pink eye
  • Lower back pain
  • Animal or insect bite
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Pelvic wellness
  • Ear pain
  • Sports physicals

When to visit Express Care

When to visit Express Care
Urgent care can treat any health concern you need to be seen immediately for, but is not life-threatening. PHS Express Care has extended hours when your primary care provider may not be available.

  • Infections—sore throat, pink eye, ear pain, urinary tract infection, rashes or thrush, minor burns or abscesses/wounds
  • Skin Issues—acne, dermatitis, rashes, insect bites
  • Respiratory & Allergy—fever, cold, covid & flu symptoms; nebulizer breathing treatments
  • Injuries—breaks, sprains, strains, stitches, lower back pain, animal bite
  • Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and treatment
  • Physicals— sports physicals and work/pre-employment physicals
  • Other Care—GI symptoms, headaches, HIV exposure medication, BP checks
  • Medication refills—short-term basis only for established PHS PCP patients. No controlled medications are allowed to be prescribed

When to visit an emergency department

Serious injuries or severe illness that may require hospitalization should be directed to your local emergency department.

For any life-threatening emergency, call 911.

  • Allergic reactions
  • Babies needing immediate care
  • Chest pain
  • Severe burns
  • Seizures
  • Serious eye or head injuries
  • Stroke symptoms
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Broken bones
  • Rapid bleeding
  • Heart attack symptoms
  • High fevers
  • Breathing problems
  • Drug overdose or poisoning
  • Bad falls (for older adults)

*EXPRESS CARE services are only available at our Middletown Verity and Hamilton West locations.