Getting the appropriate level of care for illnesses or injuries
Not sure where to turn for care?
- If possible, your regular doctor/provider will try to see you.
- He or she is most familiar with your health history.
- If not available, another provider may be able to see you that day.
If your primary care provider cannot see you and another provider is not available, other options are:
Urgent Care
- Non-life threatening illness or injury
- Your primary care provider is unavailable
- After regular clinic hours
- You should go to Urgent Care for:
- Cuts, scrapes, bruises, skin rashes, insect bites and minor burns
- Colds, flu, sore throat
- Ear pain
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Back pain--sudden or recent onset
- Strains, sprains and minor injuries
- Urinary burning
Find an Urgent Care location
ExpressCare (Ages 2 and up)
For common illnesses:
- Bladder/urinary tract infections (female, age 12+)
- Bronchitis
- Common warts
- Ear pain, infections or excess wax
- Flu/influenza
- Insect/tick bites
- Mononucleosis
- Pink eye
- Seasonal allergies
- Sinus infections
Find an ExpressCare location
Emergency Department
- Life-threatening illness or serious injuries
- Call 911 or go directly to the Gundersen Trauma & Emergency Center for:
- Chest pain/heart attack
- Numbness or weakness on one side/stroke symptoms
- Changes in vision or trouble speaking
- Confusion or change in mental status
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Broken bones
- Loss of consciousness/head injuries
- Severe headache--sudden onset
- Suicide attempt
- Suicidal thoughts or threats
- Severe cuts
- Alcohol or drug intoxication or overdose
- Severe abdominal pain
- Pregnancy-related problems (bleeding or abdominal pain)
Learn more about Gundersen Trauma & Emergency Center
Urgent Care
- Non-life threatening illness or injury
- Your primary care provider is unavailable
- After regular clinic hours
- You should go to Urgent Care for:
- Cuts, scrapes, bruises, skin rashes, insect bites and minor burns
- Colds, flu, sore throat
- Ear pain
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Back pain—sudden or recent onset
- Strains, sprains and minor injuries
- Urinary burning
Find an Urgent Care location
ExpressCare (Ages 2 and up)
For common illnesses:
- Bladder/urinary tract infections (female, age 12+)
- Bronchitis
- Common warts
- Ear pain, infections or excess wax
- Flu/influenza
- Insect/tick bites
- Mononucleosis
- Pink eye
- Seasonal allergies
- Sinus infections
Find an ExpressCare location
Emergency Department
- Life-threatening illness or serious injuries
- Call 911 or go directly to the Gundersen Trauma & Emergency Center for:
- Chest pain/heart attack
- Numbness or weakness on one side/stroke symptoms
- Changes in vision or trouble speaking
- Confusion or change in mental status
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Broken bones
- Loss of consciousness/head injuries
- Severe headache—sudden onset
- Suicide attempt
- Suicidal thoughts or threats
- Severe cuts
- Alcohol or drug intoxication or overdose
- Severe abdominal pain
- Pregnancy-related problems (bleeding or abdominal pain)
Learn more about Gundersen Trauma & Emergency Center
Speak to one of our nurses
If you are unsure of which place you should go for care, contact Gundersen's Telephone Nurse Advisor at (608) 775-4454 or (800) 858-1050.
- Available 24/7 to answer your questions or address your health concerns.
- Specially trained registered nurses
- Help you decide whether you need emergency care or urgent care, an appointment with your regular doctor/provider or if you can handle the problem at home with advice.
- Free service of Gundersen Health System
Need a primary care doctor/provider?
If you do not have a regular healthcare provider at Gundersen or you have not been seen in the past three years, we can help you establish care with a primary care provider.
New Patient Registration Line: (608) 775-0601