This is not a good time to need stitches, Maria G., a 26-year-old Californian, tells SELF.
Shes speaking from experience.
Maria recently had to go to theemergency roomafter cutting her hand while using a knife to open a package.
MirageC / Getty Images
The cut was deep.
So deep, in fact, that she knew she needed immediate medical attention.
If it wasnt such a deep cut, I definitely wouldnt have.
if at all possible.
But…what about now?
Many hospitals are alreadyoverwhelmed by trying to care for people with COVID-19and preparing for aninflux of more cases.
So what is someone with a non-coronavirus health emergency right now supposed to do?
Well, it depends on the exact health issue youre dealing with.
Heres how to know which of these three systems you should use for your non-coronavirus health issue.
In some cases, you could consider calling your primary care doctor for advice.
Primary careis usually meant for routine check-ups and nonemergency treatment, Dr. Meyer explains.
Things like rashes, minor infections and pain issues, preventive screenings, and the like.
They could then set up a tele-health appointment to talk about your health, Dr. Meyer says.
With that said, there are a few major caveats here.
Sometimes its clear that you should absolutely skip this step because your health issue is too urgent.
(More on that in a bit.)
Beyond that, your primary care office might not be open when you need help.
And if you donthavea primary care doctor, this clearly isnt an option for you either.
Thats one situation where going to an urgent care facility might be helpful.
Urgent care can be good for relatively minor but still pressing health issues.
This can be super helpful if your PCP is closed when you need help.
[Even some] urgent cares are overwhelmed with potential COVID-19 patients, Dr. Chekijian says.
Go to the emergency room if you feel like your life is in danger for any reason.
Yes, even now, during the pandemic, she adds.
Emergency care is designed for health issues that are severe enough to requireimmediateand serious attention, Dr. Meyer explains.
Somewhere like an urgent care clinic would be a better option.
Youre probably wondering what the actual experience of going to the E.R.
for a non-coronavirus health emergency is like.
Its a good question since things clearly arent business as usual for emergency departments.
(Lets be real, basically nothing and no one isoperating normally right now.)
Maria went through this screening process when she arrived at the E.R.
for her deep cut that needed stitches.
After the staff evaluated her, Maria waited in her car.
They wouldnt let my cousin (who brought me to the E.R.)
go in with me, she says.
I did appreciate the stricter measures they had in place, she says.
It made me feel more comfortable because I wasnt exposed to anyone in the waiting room.
Hopefully we will return to normal operations soon, she says.
Heres how you could give a shot to stay safe if you need non-coronavirus medical care.
So, you have to go outside for a medical appointment.
Your ability to follow all of these suggestions really depends on what exactly is going on with your health.
