Emergency Department & Walk-In Wait Time Disclaimer

Should I go to the Walk-In in Waltham or to the Emergency Department at the hospital to treat my medical problem?

• Are you in active labor, experiencing severe shortness of breath, have chest pain/ experiencing a heart attack, stroke or seizure?
• If yes, you should go to your closest emergency department or call 911.

The Walk-In in Waltham is for non-life threatening conditions. It can treat:

• Minor allergies and allergic reactions
• Rashes
• Minor burns
• Cough, colds, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma
• Back and neck pain
• Sprains, strains and muscle aches
• Minor fractures
• Scrapes, bruises, lacerations/stitches, and splinters
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections
• Eye injuries and infections
• Ear infections and sore throats
• Physicals for school, sports, camp, work
• Routine immunizations for school, work, camp
• Animal and insect bites
• Skin infections, cellulitis, and abscesses
• Minor trauma or head injuries
• Fever
• Work- related injuries
• Puncture wounds from animal/human bites or stepping on nail through sole of shoe

The Emergency Department is where you should go for a life-threatening condition:

• Severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis – characterized by severe shortness of breath, swelling, widespread hives
• Major burns
• Major fractures
• Ingestion of poisons or a large amount of pills
• Coughing or vomiting up large amounts of blood
• Multiple injuries or serious head injury from a fall or motor vehicle collision
• Pregnancy-related problems, such as bleeding or pain
• Mental health problems such as severe depression, feeling suicidal or having the urge to harm yourself or others
• Sudden onset of confusion or decreased level of consciousness
• Sudden inability to walk
• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Severe abdominal pain
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Fast or slow heart rate accompanied by sensation of feeling faint
• Sudden confusion or change in mental status
• Sudden headache
• Sudden slurred speech, or extremity weakness, clumsiness and numbness
• Sudden loss of vision
• Sudden flank (area between ribs and hip) pain or abdominal pain, accompanied by weakness or vomiting
• Bleeding that won’t stop with first aid measures and/or compression of bleeding site for 20 minutes
• Sudden shortness of breath or coughing up blood
• Fever and confusion
• Fever and rash that does not blanch (turn white) with gentle pressure
• Concern for blood or body fluid exposure
• Loss of control of bowel or bladder function
• Acute neck or back pain accompanied by arm or leg weakness and clumsiness
• Sudden extremity pain and/or weakness

Babies and Children

• Infants less than 8 weeks of age with fever greater than 100.4
• Infants less than 6 weeks of age with vomiting
• Infants with a fever and rash that does not blanch (turn white) with gentle pressure
• Infants with vomiting and decreased feeding and decreased vigor
• Infants with fever who are no longer moving an extremity
• Children who may have accidently ingested adult medications
• Infants less than 3 months of age with presumed diagnosis of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and worsening respiratory symptoms
• Any child with respiratory distress who does not respond to medications
• Any child who requires a procedure and may not cooperate

If you have a question, please call 617-243-5590 to discuss with the nursing staff.

Many medical insurance companies charge different co-pay fees for treatment in urgent care versus the emergency department. Please check with your insurance company if you have any questions.