If you or your loved ones are injured, sick or in real pain, you need to know where to go for care — and you need to know right now.
But sometimes, you might hesitate. Do you need to head to the emergency department, or will Express Care work? Can you do a virtual visit instead of going to see your primary care provider? We’re here to help guide you to the best option.
Needing care right away can be stressful. Whether you’re helping a loved one or getting care for yourself, there can be many different questions, concerns and emotions swirling in your mind. Our providers are here to help. We do whatever we can not only to get you to the right place for the care you need but also to guide you through your care with compassion.
With many locations in the communities we serve, you can find care that’s close to home. Some locations also have evening and weekend hours, helping you get what you need outside of traditional office hours.
Our team of providers brings their expertise to each exam room, virtual visit and bedside. We listen to what’s happening, explore the options and act quickly to help. And we work with providers from different specialties to make sure the team around you matches your needs.
In many cases, you don’t even need to leave home. Our virtual visits connect you with a Cleveland Clinic provider so you can get care from just about anywhere. This is an option for ages 2+.
Sometimes, it’s easier to know where to go based on what’s happening. Here, we’ll break down care recommendations for some of the most common conditions and injuries.
Figuring out the best place to go when you’re stressed isn’t always easy. But we’re here for you. So, take a deep breath. You’ve got this.
Here are a few key differences among types of care to keep in mind:
Emergency Department – If it’s life-threatening, call 911 now or go to the nearest Emergency Department (ED). You might also commonly refer to this as an emergency room or ER Hours: Open 24 hours.
Express Care (ages 2+) – When you or your child doesn’t feel well, you can simply walk in and get care without an appointment at a variety of locations. Find locations and wait times. Hours: Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Urgent Care (ages 6 months+) – Think of urgent care like a middle step. It’s more than Express Care since you can also get stitches, wound care, X-rays and EKGs. But it’s not the Emergency Department. Find locations and wait times. Hours: Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Primary Care (for all ages) – Primary care is your main healthcare connection. It’s the first place you can call if you have new, nonurgent and nonemergency health concerns or questions.
If you already have a Cleveland Clinic primary care provider (PCP), they know your health history best. Give them a call or send them a secure note online through Cleveland Clinic MyChart. If you don’t have a PCP, you can find one here and schedule an appointment.
Virtual Visits (ages 2+) – Get the care you need from the comfort of home with virtual visits by using our MyClevelandClinic app. New and returning patients in Ohio, Florida and Nevada can easily schedule a virtual primary care visit in about 10 minutes for about a dozen common problems. Adults must accompany patients 17 and under during their visits.
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