It’s 2 AM. Your child has a high fever, or you’re suddenly hit with a sharp, stabbing chest pain. In a moment of panic, one question dominates your mind: “Is this a true emergency?”

In the world of healthcare, knowing where to go for treatment is just as important as knowing when to go. Choosing incorrectly can mean dangerous delays for a true emergency or, on the other hand, overwhelming emergency resources with an issue that could have been handled with a scheduled appointment.

At Niramay Hospital in Nashik, we provide a full spectrum of care, from scheduled specialist consultations in our Outpatient Department (OPD) to life-saving interventions in our 24/7 Emergency Department.

Understanding the difference is key to getting the right care, right when you need it.

What is the OPD (Outpatient Department)?

The OPD (Outpatient Department) is your hub for non-emergency, planned, and follow-up medical care. You typically visit the OPD for:

• Scheduled Appointments: Seeing a specialist for a known condition or a new, non-urgent symptom.
• Chronic Disease Management: Regular check-ups for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid issues.
• Specialist Consultations: Getting expert advice from our departments like Cardiology, Neurology, Dermatology, or Pediatrics for an ongoing concern.
• Routine Check-ups: Preventive health screenings and wellness visits.
• Follow-up Care: Post-surgery check-ins or follow-ups after a recent illness.

Choose the OPD for: Symptoms that are persistent but not severe, like chronic joint pain, a mild skin rash, digestive issues that come and go, or follow-up on a known condition. This allows you to see the right specialist at a scheduled time.

What is the 24/7 Emergency Department (ED)?

The Emergency Department (ED)—also known as the Emergency Room (ER)—is designed for one purpose: to treat severe, sudden, or life-threatening medical conditions that require immediate attention.

Our Emergency Medicine department at Niramay Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is staffed by “Trauma Care Specialists” trained in “Advanced Life Support.”

Unlike the OPD, the ED does not work on appointments. It operates on a system called triage, where patients are seen based on the severity of their condition, not the order of their arrival. This ensures that patients with life-threatening issues (like a heart attack or stroke) are treated first.

The Critical List: When to Go to the Emergency Department IMMEDIATELY

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following, do not wait for an OPD appointment. Go to the Emergency Department or call for an ambulance right away.

1. Severe Chest Pain or Difficulty Breathing

These are classic signs of a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.

• Crushing, squeezing, or heavy pressure in the chest.
• Pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or left arm.
• Sudden shortness of breath, gasping for air, or inability to speak in full sentences.

2. Sudden, Severe Symptoms (Signs of Stroke)

Use the F.A.S.T. acronym:

• F – Face: Is one side of the face drooping?
• A – Arms: Can the person raise both arms, or does one drift downward?
• S – Speech: Is their speech slurred or strange?
• T – Time: Time is critical. Call for emergency help immediately.
• Other signs: Sudden severe headache (“worst headache of your life”), sudden confusion, or sudden loss of vision or balance.

3. Significant Bleeding or Injury

• Uncontrolled bleeding that won’t stop with pressure.
• Deep wounds where you can see muscle or bone.
• A major injury from a car accident, a fall from a height, or a severe burn.
• Any significant head or spine injury.
• Suspected broken bones, especially large bones, or a joint that is visibly deformed.

4. Loss of Consciousness or Seizures

• Fainting, blacking out, or being difficult to wake up.
• Any seizure (convulsions, uncontrolled jerking) in someone who has not been diagnosed with epilepsy, or a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes.

5. High Fever with Other Serious Symptoms

• A very high fever (e.g., above 103°F or 39.4°C) especially if it is accompanied by:
  • A stiff neck and headache (possible meningitis)
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Confusion or extreme drowsiness

6. Severe Abdominal Pain

• Sudden, intense, and persistent pain in your stomach area.
• Pain that is localized to one spot (e.g., the lower right side, a sign of appendicitis).
• Vomiting blood or passing blood in your stool.

What If I’m Still Not Sure?

When you’re in the moment, it can be hard to judge. Here is the most important rule:

When in doubt, go to the Emergency Department.

It is always safer to be evaluated by an emergency medical team and be told it’s not a serious issue than to wait at home with a potentially life-threatening condition. Never feel embarrassed about “bothering” the ED staff; it’s what they are there for.

Niramay Hospital: Your Partner in All Health Scenarios

Whether you have a sudden crisis or a long-term health concern, Niramay Hospital is equipped to provide the right level of care.

For Emergencies: Our 24/7 Emergency Department is always open. With “24/7 Emergency Response” and a dedicated team, we are ready to handle any medical emergency with speed, expertise, and compassion.

• Emergency Phone: (253) 2516105, (+91) 8625858761

For Non-Emergencies: For routine care, chronic conditions, or specialist advice, our expert doctors in Cardiology, Neurology, Surgery, Pediatrics, and more are available by appointment.

• Appointment Phone: (253) 2516105, (+91) 9322170026

Trust Niramay Hospital to be your beacon of health and hope, providing the right care, at the right time.