Acute Care When You’re Too Sick to Wait for an Appointment

When a sudden illness, injury, or accident strikes, your normal primary care provider is not always available — maybe it’s an evening or weekend, or maybe their schedule is already full.

You need medical care, but your sickness or injury isn’t severe enough for you to go to the emergency room.

Urgent care providers, such as Primora Primary Care, led by Dr. Varun Kommalapati, are here to fill the gap. Here’s what this means.

What is acute care?

Acute care refers to medical care for situations that aren’t severe enough for the ER but are urgent enough that you don’t want to wait for treatment. Our specialties include non-life-threatening issues that still require prompt intervention to prevent complications and ensure a quick recovery.

This includes conditions such as colds and the flu, strep throat, ear infections, pink eye, sprains and mild fractures, urinary tract infections, asthma attacks, animal bites, as well as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you’re unsure whether we treat your condition, please call our office. Our trained staff will assess your situation over the phone and direct you to the most appropriate care. 

What does your urgent care visit include?

Upon arrival at Primora, we’ll conduct a thorough physical examination, which includes reviewing your medical history and vital signs. As Dr. Kommalapati assesses your condition, he may need to order lab tests or imaging, which he’ll use to confirm his diagnosis and begin appropriate treatment. 

Treatments he may provide include:

• Stitches and wound care
• Bracing, splinting, and casting
• Medical prescriptions
• Injections

Not only will we work to get you feeling better as soon as possible (without the long wait you usually find in the emergency room), but we can also forward records of your treatment to your primary care provider so they can follow up if necessary and have a complete picture of your health.

When not to choose acute care

Acute care centers, such as Primora Primary Care, are great solutions for many health needs; however, some symptoms require immediate emergency attention at your local emergency room. These symptoms include:

• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Severe abdominal pain
• Signs of stroke (slurred speech, facial drooping, arm weakness)
• Major trauma or bleeding
• High fever in infants

At Primora Primary Care, our patients’ health is our number one priority, no matter when you need help. If you’re too sick or injured to wait for your primary care provider, stop by our Bridgeville office — or you can choose an appointment time online if that’s more convenient for you.