Urgent or Emergency? Naval Hospital Bremerton Urgent Care Clinic Explained

Photo By Douglas Stutz | Around the clock care...Naval Hospital Bremerton's Urgent Care Clinic is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for walk-in availability for such needs as; Minor injuries including strains and sprains, back pain, minor cuts and burns, minor broken bones, and minor work and sport-related injuries; and common illnesses such as colds, fever and/or flu symptoms, sore throats and coughs/bronchitis; migraines, allergies, rising temperature and rashes. NHB recommends that anyone with a potential threat to loss of life, limb or eye-sight go immediately to the nearest ED - or call 911 - instead of traveling to NHB's UCC (Official Navy photo by Douglas H Stutz, NHB PAO).  

BREMERTON , WA, UNITED STATES

01.31.2019

Story by Douglas Stutz    

Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton

Just what is the difference between an urgent care clinic (UCC) and an emergency department (ED)?

Where, why, and what should Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) patients do when needing immediate care?

According to Lt. Cmdr. Lisa Abels, NHB UCC Department Head, it is crucial that anyone with a potential threat to life, limb or eye-sight go immediately to the nearest ED, or call 911, instead of traveling to NHB’s UCC.

“Any immediate life threatening problems such as severe chest pain, especially if over age 50, severe abdominal pain, especially over age 50, difficulty breathing, unresponsiveness, stroke-like symptoms with difficult speaking and walking, or severe bleeding and/or trauma should be evaluated in an emergency department,” said Abels, reiterating that if any patient thinks they have life threatening or serious health problem to promptly go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call 911.
Abels explained that NHB’s UCC does not have the necessary personnel, equipment or capability as an ED.

“An urgent care clinic is not staffed or equipped to the same level as an emergency department. Whereas an emergency department can handle initial stabilization and management of all medical problems, an urgent care clinic is not designed to handle critical illness or unstable patients,” explained Abels.

Nevertheless, Abels stressed that no patient will ever be turned away from the UCC.

“The patient will check in and be evaluated by the triage nurse on arrival, then evaluated by the provider on duty. If the patient’s care needs for diagnosis and/or treatment exceed the resources of our UCC, the patient will be transported by ambulance to a more highly capable facility such as Madigan Army Medical Center or a local civilian hospital. Any interim stabilization and treatment will be done within the abilities of our staff, equipment and resources,” said Abels.

Although the number of patients seen on a daily basis in NHB’s UCC with actual life, limb and eye-sight threatening emergencies is low, the screening and classification to prioritize those needing immediate care is done the same as any emergency department with the triage method.

“Because the range of illness and injury severity varies in a UCC, as in an emergency department, our objective is to provide care to the sickest and most acute patient first. NHB UCC uses the emergency severity index to identify patients with the most urgent conditions. The patient with the most urgent conditions are evaluated first,” added Abels.

Another readily available resource for patients to help determine if they should use an UCC or ED is the Nurse Advice Line (NAL). The NAL is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The nurse will discuss the patient’s concerns and provide recommendations for home treatment/care if applicable, and whether the issue should be addressed via an ED or UCC visit. The Nurse Advice Line’s toll free number is 1-800-874-2273, and then select option one.

“It is always recommended that patients attempt to get an appointment with their primary care provider first. If there are no appointments available within the time frame that they need or if it is a serious concern that starts after hours, then a UCC is likely the next best option. The UCC staff does not give medical advice over the phone, but will direct patients to the Nurse Advice Line to assist with determining the best timing and location to address their urgent health care needs. Patients should also know that TRICARE now covers unlimited visits to all UCCs and there are several in the region that may be more convenient than here,” Abels said.

Conditions that require emergency medical care include:
Severe chest pain or difficulty breathing
Compound fracture (bone protrudes through skin)
Convulsions, seizures or loss of consciousness
Fever in newborn (less than three months old)
Heavy, uncontrollable bleeding
Deep knife wounds or gunshot wounds
Moderate to severe burns
Poisoning
Eye injuries or loss of vision
Anaphylaxis (allergic reactions)
Serious head, neck or back injury
Severe abdominal pain
(Signs of) Heart attack (chest pain lasting longer than two minutes)
(Signs of) Stroke (loss of vision, sudden numbness, weakness, slurred speech, or confusion)
Suicidal or homicidal feelings

Urgent medical conditions are ones that are not considered emergencies but still require care within 24 hours. Below are some examples of such conditions:

Accidents and falls (less than five feet)
Sprains and strains
Moderate back problems
Breathing difficulties (i.e. mild to moderate asthma)
Bleeding/cuts - not bleeding a lot but requiring stitches
Diagnostic services, including X-rays and laboratory tests
Eye irritation and redness
Fever or flu
Vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration
Severe sore throat or cough
Minor broken bones and fractures (i.e. fingers, toes)
Skin rashes and infections
Urinary tract infections

Patients are also encouraged to use their provider and/or Medical Home Port team to schedule appointments for common illnesses such as flu and fever; minor injuries such as sprains and strains; and regular physicals, prescription refills, vaccinations and screenings.

Important phone numbers:
Puget Sound Military Appointing Center 1-800-404-4506
NHB Pharmacy Refills [phone]

NHB Primary Care Clinics
Family Medicine Clinic [phone]
Internal Medicine Clinic [phone]
Pediatric Clinic [phone]

Branch Health Clinics
BHC Bangor [phone]
BHC Everett [phone]
BHC Puget Sound Naval Shipyard [phone]

• Date Taken: 01.31.2019
• Date Posted: 01.31.2019 22:07
• Story ID: 309100
• Location: BREMERTON , WA, US