The Palo Alto Medical Foundation provides urgent care services at our clinics in:

• Dublin
• Fremont
• Palo Alto
• Palo Alto Pediatrics

What is an urgent health care need?

When a medical problem arises that requires immediate attention, it is often difficult to know if it is truly an emergency, or whether it is simply an urgent medical issue.

What is the difference?

Generally, an emergency is a condition that may threaten an individual's life or cause impairment. On the other hand, urgent care can treat medical problems, that while not emergencies, require care within 24 hours. Some examples of conditions that can be treated at urgent care include: accidents and falls, broken bones, breathing difficulties, severe abdominal pain, bleeding/cuts, high fever and vomiting/diarrhea/dehydration.

If a medical problem is life-threatening, call 911 immediately, and care will be provided at the nearest emergency room (ER). However, ER visits should be reserved for true emergencies, such as life-threatening accidents or chest pain. A visit to the ER without an actual emergency can be costly and inefficient, and detract medical care from individuals who truly need emergency care.