Where Do I Go: Doctor’s Office, Urgent Care or ER?

Thursday, August 5, 2021

When you or a loved one are experiencing a health issue, it is important to determine which level of care is appropriate for your immediate needs. This is especially important right now due to frequent changes and challenges in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This guide should help you evaluate your options and determine which level of care suits your needs.

First and foremost, if you are ever in doubt about which option is right for your situation, always call your primary care provider’s office, unless you are experiencing a medical emergency, in which case you should immediately call 911. Your doctor’s office is your “medical home” and will be able to help answer questions. In addition to routine healthcare visits, call your primary care office for: same or next-day appointments for urgent needs, on-call providers to assist with urgent needs when the clinic is closed or follow-up care after an emergency room or urgent care visit.

Below is a list of health system offerings with varying levels of care. This should help you determine what service is appropriate for you.

• Doctor’s Office- Routine healthcare, sick visits and preventive care in-person or virtual
  • Call your primary care provider if you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, do not go to the emergency room Fever, flu, sore throat, cough, Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Injuries such as sprains and minor cuts
  • Help with chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma
  • Check-ups and shots (including the COVID vaccine)
  • Physicals, well woman and well child exams

• Urgent Care- When you need medical care the same day and feel safe waiting a few hours
  • Already tried calling your doctor’s office or on-call provider
  • After-hours provider advised you to go to an urgent care
  • COVID-19 testing

• Emergency Room- Fast, life-saving care.
  • Trouble breathing or chest pain
  • Fainting or passing out
  • Bleeding that will not stop
  • Seizures
  • Serious accident
  • Stroke symptoms: dizziness or loss of balance, sudden trouble seeing, facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech
  • Call 911 or go to the emergency department if you think your life is in danger.The Emergency Department is for true emergencies only, do NOT utilize the Emergency Department for COVID-19 testing unless you are experiencing emergent symptoms.

COVID Testing Locations

Below are some local options for COVID-19 tests. Use our online scheduling tool to see a list of locations or to schedule an appointment.

• Norman Regional labs – All of Norman Regional’s labs can test for COVID-19. There are cash pay prices available for those who choose to not use insurance. Our lab hours range from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday dependent on the location. Our labs also accept cash payment through MDsave if patients do not wish to use insurance.
  • NW Executive Park
    • **Coming Soon** In addition to offering COVID-19 testing, drive through testing will soon be available.
    • Hours: 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
    • Location: 3201 W. Tecumseh Rd., Suite 100, Norman, OK 73072
  • East Norman - COVID Drive Through
  • NRHS is pleased to announce the opening of a new collection site in East Norman located at the south side of the Porter Campus.
  •  This is a drive through service for Covid testing.  Appointments are required and can be scheduled here.
  • Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday

• Moore Respiratory Clinic

  • Moore Respiratory Clinic
    • Located at Norman Regional Moore, the respiratory clinic has an option for drive-through COVID testing.
    • Hours: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Wednesday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. **extended hours coming soon**
    • Location: 700 S. Telephone Rd., Moore, OK 73160

• Norman Regional Virtual Care

A virtual urgent care visit can be done via desktop by simply visiting NormanRegionalVirtualCare.com or by downloading the Norman Regional Virtual Care app on the AppStore or Google Play. Each visit costs $64 with no insurance required, and the board certified provider you see has the option to order a COVID-19 test for you if needed and direct you on where to go.

• Local urgent care clinics (all clinics listed below)

  • Classen Urgent Care Clinic, 2818 Classen Blvd., Norman, OK 73071
  • Sooner Urgent Care Clinic, 2100 W. Lindsey St., Suite B, Norman, OK 73069
  • Access Medical Centers , 334 12th Ave. SE, Suite 110, Norman, OK 73071
  • ICare Centers, 129 Ed Noble Parkway, Norman, OK 73072
  • Integris Norman Urgent Care, 700 24th Ave. NW, Norman, OK 73069
  • Penwell, Kevin DO Urgent Care Center, 724 24th Ave. NW, Norman, OK 73069
  • Immediate Care of Oklahoma, 800 24th Ave. NW, Norman, OK 73069
  • Mercy – Go Health, 2312 24th Ave. NW, Norman, OK 73069
  • Immediate Care of Oklahoma, 3400 W. Tecumseh Rd., Norman, OK 73072
  • Access Medical Centers, 1000 NW 32nd St., Newcastle, OK 73065
  • Access Medical Centers, 2109 S. Santa Fe Ave., Moore, OK 73160
  • Mercy – Go Health, 705 S.W. 19th St., Suite 120, Moore, OK 73160
  • Healthcare Express Urgent Care, 551 S.E. 4th St., Moore, OK 73160
  • Classen Urgent Care Clinic, 1025 S.W. 4th St., Suite 101, Moore, OK 73160
  • Premier Plus Urgent Care, 2804 S.W. 134th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73170
  • Immediate Care of Oklahoma – West Moore, 11808 S. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73170
  • Access Medical Centers, 11601 S. Western Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73170
  • Quick Urgent Care, 2212 N. Broadway St., Moore, OK 73160
  • First Med Urgent Care, 1140 S.W. 104th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73139

• Local drugstores

Most local drugstores are now offering COVID-19 testing. Check with your local drugstore for more information.