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It might be confusing to know when to go to the ER for abdominal pain, or when to go to the ER for chest pain.
Examples of conditions that require an ER visit are:
Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if you have any of these signs or symptoms:
When you arrive in the ER, you will likely first meet with a triage nurse, who will evaluate the urgency of your condition.
Your Dignity Health St. John’s doctors and nurses who specialize in emergency care will examine you again in more detail to determine the most effective care for your condition. To help your health care providers understand your condition, you may have urine tests, blood tests, or imaging tests, such as X-rays.
Depending on your condition, your trusted Dignity Health St. John’s doctor may consult with other specialists to create a personalized treatment plan just for you. If you are sent home from the ER, the emergency care team will provide home with care instructions and, possibly, prescriptions for medications. You may need to make a follow-up appointment with your primary care doctor or a specialist.
In some cases, your doctor may determine that you should be admitted to the hospital for treatment or monitoring. It’s possible that treatment may include emergency surgery.