When illness or injury strike, patients often have to make the important decision on where they should go to get the care they need. Your primary care physician knows you best. You’ve met them before and they’re familiar with your medical history. But when they can’t get you in right away, or if you’re experiencing an emergency, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you decide where to go. 

Step 1: Assess your symptoms. 

If you’re experiencing life or limb threatening emergency symptoms like chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, severe bleeding or burns, seizure, or poisoning, you need to go to an emergency room right away. Call 9-1-1 immediately or go to your nearest ER. 

Step 2: If you’re not experiencing an emergency, call your primary care doctor. 

Your primary care physician, or PCP, knows your medical history. Try to call your doctor first to see if you can be seen in-person or virtually in a timeframe that feels comfortable to you. Your primary care doctor is the best person to see you for: 

• Runny nose

• Sore throat

• Migraine

• Sinus pain

• Stomachache

• Allergies

• Bug bites

• Arthritis

• Nausea

• Minor cuts or rash
  

Your PCP can also help with annual wellness visits, routine screenings, vaccinations, sports physicals, unusual bodily changes, lingering pain, and chronic conditions. 

If they are unable to see you for a same-day appointment that can’t wait, proceed to Step 3.  

Step 3: Go to Express Primary Care. 

Your doctor’s medical group may offer a walk-in care option, like Dignity Health’s new Express Primary Care in Roseville. With care providers who work alongside and are connected to your PCP, this is a great option for patients to get the care they need now. The co-pay is the same as your primary care visit—which is often less than an urgent care visit. 

Dignity Health Express Primary Care is open with extended hours Monday through Saturday, giving you a care option on the weekend or during the evening when you need it. Our care providers can help you with all symptoms and needs your primary care physician can help with.

Step 4: Go to urgent care. 

Urgent care is another option for patients that need care right away but don’t require an emergency room visit. An urgent care clinic can help patients with: 

• Eye infections

• Earaches

• UTIs

• STI testing

• Cuts and burns

• Sprains or muscle strains

• Minor sports injuries
  

About Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group

Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group has 27 care sites throughout the Greater Sacramento region. Our primary care physicians are located in Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Citrus Heights, Sacramento, Natomas, and Elk Grove. They’re here to support all your day-to-day medical needs. And they’re supported by an advice nurse service for primary care and pediatrics patients. 

With our new Express Primary Care location in Roseville, Dignity Health is committed to helping patients get the care they need when they need it. 

Dignity Health Express Primary Care

3980 Douglas Blvd., Ste. 110  |  Roseville, CA 95661

(916) 293-4400  |  Open Monday through Saturday