When To Call: Office Vs. Emergency Room
Use this guide to determine the right level of care
CALL 911 OR GO TO THE ER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE:
Chest pain or pressure | Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath | Sudden swelling of the leg with pain (possible clot) | Uncontrolled bleeding | Loss of consciousness | Signs of stroke (facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech)
Call Our Office (Next Available)
• Mild increase in pain not controlled by prescribed medications
• Questions about your dressings, drains, or compression garments
• Mild redness or swelling around the incision that is not rapidly worsening
• Constipation from pain medications
• Low-grade fever (under 101.4°F / 38.5°C) without other symptoms
• Questions about activity, diet, or medications
• Concerns about the appearance of your healing incision
Call Our Office Urgently (Same Day)
• Fever over 101.4°F (38.5°C)
• Rapidly spreading redness, warmth, or swelling at or around the incision
• Foul-smelling or thick cloudy drainage from the wound
• Drain output that has suddenly increased significantly
• Significant new bruising or hematoma (firm lump of blood) forming
• Implant or drain feeling displaced
• A flap or skin area that appears dark, dusky, or cold to the touch
Go to the Emergency Room
• Uncontrolled bleeding that does not stop with 10 minutes of firm pressure
• Signs of infection spreading rapidly: red streaks, extreme pain, high fever
• One-sided leg swelling, calf pain, or warmth (possible DVT/blood clot)
• Signs of pulmonary embolism: shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heart rate
• Wound that has opened significantly (dehiscence)
• Inability to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours
• Any concern that cannot wait until office hours
When in doubt, call. We would always rather hear from you than have you wait through a symptom that needs attention. After-hours messages are monitored for urgent concerns.