Options Range From the Emergency Department to Urgent, Walk-In Care

Many children lead active, rough-and-tumble lives as they play, grow and explore, so parents, caregivers and trusted adults often may become accustomed to handling the occasional bump or bruise.

When a child faces a more serious illness or injury, those same guardians may feel unsure about how best to support their little ones through such a health challenge.

That’s why Dr. William Kumprey, an Emergency Medicine Physician with ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac, offered advice on seeking the appropriate level of care for children.

Dr. William Kumprey

“We understand how frightening it can be when your child is in distress,” he said. “Knowing your options in advance can help you keep calm when medical emergencies arise.” 

Options for medical attention often range from emergency care to urgent and walk-in care. Knowing when to seek the appropriate level of care is important, Dr. Kumprey said.

When to Choose Emergency Care

“Emergency care is generally for medical emergencies when a delay could be harmful or even life-threatening,” he said. “Consider going to the emergency department for respiratory distress like trouble breathing, wheezing or rapid breathing that could indicate severe asthma or infection.” 

Other issues that may indicate emergency care is needed are:

• High fevers in infants and/or if accompanied by other concerning symptoms like lethargy, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain or skin rash.
• Seizures, especially if new onset, repetitive or prolonged, as they require immediate attention to determine the cause and proper treatment.
• Severe allergic reactions that can lead to rapid breathing and throat swelling.
• Injuries and accidents, including serious fractures or sprains with a deformity or difficulty bearing weight or using the extremity. Large or deep cuts and significant head injuries also warrant a visit to the emergency department.
• Moderate to severe dehydration, especially from prolonged vomiting and diarrhea with concerning lethargy or significant weakness.
• Ingestion of poison or other harmful substances.

“An ambulance may be necessary if a child’s condition is potentially life-threatening, like difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, heavy bleeding or serious head injury,” Dr. Kumprey said. “Another reason to call 911 is if moving the person might cause more injuries, like after a serious fall or other physical trauma.”

When to Choose Urgent Care

Urgent and walk-in care offer prompt care for non-life-threatening injuries, Dr. Kumprey explained. They often serve as a bridge between primary care and emergency services.

Urgent and walk-in care clinics typically offer early evening and weekend hours, along with daytime hours. 

A good guideline for when to choose urgent care is when a child needs prompt attention but their regular health care provider isn’t available. Urgent and walk-in care can be an option when seeking extended or more flexible hours, such as weekend or holiday care.

If the urgent care clinician identifies a serious condition, they can collaborate with the emergency department team to expedite a transfer to the emergency department.

Additional Considerations

Patients and families may encounter shorter wait times in urgent and walk-in care compared to the emergency department at a hospital, Dr. Kumprey said. Depending on an individual’s insurance coverage, urgent care also may cost less.

Emergency departments have specialized equipment and staff for critical care, while urgent care centers offer resources for less-serious conditions. Services at urgent and walk-in care often include X-rays and labs. 

“Please remember that if you are unsure about the severity of a child’s medical situation, it’s generally best to err on the side of caution and go to the emergency department if you believe the condition is serious,” Dr. Kumprey said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” 

The newly opened ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac offers around-the-clock emergency and inpatient care, as well as diagnostic imaging, outpatient lab services and cardiovascular and neurology care. 

Patients and families in the Fond du Lac area also may choose to visit ThedaCare Urgent Care-Oshkosh, open seven days a week.

“Regardless of where you receive care, you can expect a seamless and coordinated experience,” Dr. Kumprey said. “Our teams ensure continuity of care for the patients we’re privileged to serve.” 

Visit MyThedaCare to schedule an appointment with a health care provider.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including nine hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care system.