12/23/2025
Emergency department (ED) visits are up, and so are wait times. If your illness or condition is not life-threatening but needs prompt action, consider visiting your hospital’s nearest express or urgent care.
Most walk-in centers are designed for immediate, non-emergency care. But when you visit a hospital-linked center, your attending medical provider will likely be able to consult your medical records and share what they find with your provider.
For life-threatening conditions like chest pain, broken bones, or a serious head injury, go to the closest ED. If you need urgent help, call 9-1-1.
https://www.dartmouth-health.org/articles/should-you-visit-emergency-department-or-walk-care