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A guide to choosing the appropriate level of care in Island County
Published 6:00 am Monday, June 1, 2026
Local physician shares insight on confidently choosing the correct level of care and what actually warrants a trip to the ER
Choosing between an emergency room, urgent care clinic, virtual appointment or a family doctor isn’t always obvious – especially when you’re the one who’s sick or worried about a loved one.
Being able to make that choice confidently can help reduce overall wait times and unnecessary strain on medical staff across the county.
“Our medical system works best when people know how to navigate it. Knowing what level of care is appropriate means everyone gets the care they need, faster.” says Dr. Megan Farnsworth, a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.
The emergency room: 24/7 care for life threatening emergencies
The ER is for severe or life-threatening situations. However, its use for non-emergencies is a growing concern that contributes to longer wait times.
“Chest pain, stroke symptoms, sudden numbness or vision changes, general weakness without explanation – these are all valid reasons to visit the ER,” Dr. Farnsworth says. “They need to be assessed immediately and can suggest an imminent risk to a patient’s life.”
She adds that injuries that prevent you from walking, lacerations and injuries with significant blood loss, broken limbs and serious falls, particularly in older adults or infants under one year, are all situations that can also justify a trip to the ER.
Urgent care: the walking wounded
Urgent care and walk-in clinics serve as a bridge between a crisis and a scheduled appointment.
“Lacerations that need stitching, stomach flu, strep throat, a new but not severe abdominal pain, coughs and colds – these are all urgent care territory,” Dr. Farnsworth says.
She adds that volume is high, but wait times are kept low with the goal of getting patients in and out in under an hour. Diagnostics are available on site, which makes urgent care the right call for anything that can’t be assessed over the phone.
“It’s a step above primary care and a step below the ER,” Dr. Farnsworth says. “A lot of things that people default to the ER for can actually be handled quickly and more affordably at urgent care.”
Virtual care: lowest cost, lowest barrier
For straightforward concerns – a cold, a cough, a prescription refill – virtual care is often the fastest and least expensive option. Many platforms offer a flat rate, making it accessible for people without complex needs.
The limitation is hands-on assessment. If you’re worried about an ear infection or need lab work checked, virtual care may not be the right fit.
Primary care: your long-term health partner
A family doctor or primary care provider can handle many of the same concerns as urgent care, with one significant difference: access.
Primary care offices book up quickly, but the benefit of an established relationship is continuity. Primary providers know your history, coordinate your screenings – mammograms, diabetes management, colonoscopies – and communicate directly with specialists when needed.
Seasonal reminders
As summer arrives, a few additional situations are worth noting.
Heat stroke requires rapid cooling and is always an ER call. Moderate to severe sunburn should be assessed based on the level of pain – urgent care or your primary care provider can handle many burns, but severe cases may warrant emergency care.
Explore all Providence Swedish clinics and care centers online here and learn more about services offered at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett at providence.org/locations/wa/providence-regional-medical-center-everett.