From urgent care centers to walk-in clinics, trips to the family doctor or emergency room visits – there are more healthcare options to choose from than ever before. And while having more choices is a plus, Saint Mary's realizes that it also can be confusing when it comes to selecting the right option at the right time. 

“Knowing who to call or where to go is critical in ensuring the ongoing health and well-being of our communities,” said Carolyn Cook, chief nursing officer at Saint Mary’s. “At Saint Mary's, our mission is making communities healthier, and one way we can do that is to ensure that our community members know where to go to get the care they need.” 

Walk-in Clinics 

Walk-in clinics emphasize affordability and convenience for individuals with common, non-life-threatening conditions. Walk-in clinics are good options for out-of-town visitors who need care but may not be able to access a list of in-network providers. These types of clinics also offer affordable care to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. Services may include treatment of: 

Some walk-in clinics also offer vaccinations, pregnancy tests and routine physicals. 

Urgent Care Centers 

Similar to walk-in clinics, urgent care centers offer quick and effective care for minor injuries or illnesses that need urgent attention. They can also offer more enhanced services such as x-rays or IV administration. Individuals might choose urgent care facilities for: 

Primary Care 

Primary care refers to a person’s regular physician or physician group – it’s where someone might go when sick or in need of preventive care such as an annual physical or wellness check. Typically, people visit primary care doctors for: 

Any person without a primary care physician can search Saint Mary’s Physician Finder or call 479.384.4759 to find a provider. 

Emergency Room Care 

Emergency room visits should be reserved for immediate situations that, if not treated immediately, could result in the loss of life or a limb. These may include: 

It is important to remember that the emergency room is for emergencies only. Anyone experiencing or witnessing any of the above, or any other potentially life-threatening medical condition, should call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately. 

Saint Mary’s is proud to be Chest Pain Accredited for delivering life-saving emergency heart care. For seven consecutive years, we’ve also earned the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke: Gold Plus award, recognizing our commitment to providing stroke patients with timely, evidence-based treatment that improves outcomes and saves lives. 

“At Saint Mary's, we are genuinely honored that our community members continuously choose us for their healthcare needs,” said Cook. “We encourage individuals with questions about their healthcare needs to call the hospital so that we can make sure they get the answers they need and find the care that’s right for them.” 

To learn more about Saint Mary's offerings, call 479.384.4759 or visit SaintMarysRegional.com.