Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1499651
Health Matters: Providence Saint John's Health Center | 11 skill set, where we do a lot more procedures," and surgical suites and the intensive care unit are at the ready any time of day or night. There also is an anesthesiologist on-site at all times, as well as a laborist—an obstetrician who specializes in delivering babies. A trip to the emergency department should never be accompanied by a sense of guilt for using up hospital resources that could be utilized for other patients, says Dr. Kino. "We're not in the business of turning anyone away—never, ever." WHEN TO CONSIDER URGENT CARE When urgent care is the better option for moderate to mild concerns, patients are attended to by a family medicine physician, an emergency medicine doctor or a physician assistant. They all are accustomed to seeing an extensive list of common medical concerns in all ages, from broken bones to fevers. Urgent care clinics are equipped with X-ray machines, so patients can learn quickly whether an apparent sprain might actually be a break. If so, the doctor will set the injury temporarily until the patient sees an orthopedist. X-rays also can help determine whether a patient has pneumonia. "In urgent care, we are able to take care of 95% of the ailments people come in with," says Anita Gorwara, MD, Providence Saint John's Physician Partners urgent care medical director. One of the exceptions, which she says she rarely sees, is a patient with chest pain and shortness of breath, suggesting the person may be having a heart attack. In these cases, the urgent care center will have an ambulance transfer the patient to a hospital emergency department. Urgent care also delivers immediate results on tests for COVID-19, influenza, strep throat and RSV infections. In general, urgent care's advantages can include: • short (or even no) wait times • low out-of-pocket expenses • a calm atmosphere • close to home Most urgent care facilities are open from early morning to late evening, and on weekends and most holidays—but they do close. "If it's after-hours at urgent care, go to the ER," says Dr. Gorwara. "Then you have no choice." But don't worry about making the wrong choice. "People are surprisingly good at guessing where they should go," says Dr. Kino. "They seem to know intuitively." HELPFUL ADDRESSES TO KEEP HANDY Providence Saint John's Health Center For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately. Providence Saint John's Health Center 2121 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 310-829-5511 Urgent care Saint John's Physician Partners Urgent Care 901 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica 310-829-8441 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Exer Urgent Care Locations Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Brentwood 2300 Wilshire Blvd. 424-416-7900 Culver City 8985 Venice Blvd. 424-502-1020 Manhattan Beach 3215 N. Sepulveda Blvd. 424-295-0540 Marina del Rey 4730 Lincoln Blvd. 424-352-0371 Playa Vista 6020 S. Seabluff Dr. 310-814-4070 Westwood 2090 Westwood Blvd. 213-814-4070