WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — While making those last-minute holiday preparations, it might be a good idea to think about where you would seek medical care if you or a loved one experience an unexpected issue on a holiday, when primary care offices are closed.

What are your options?

Dr. Scott Ross, chief medical officer with Cleveland Clinic Florida's Weston Hospital, said what medical teams normally see on days like Christmas are what he calls "holiday injuries" suffered during activities like climbing a ladder to hang lights or lighting fireworks on New Year's Eve.

"There's a lot more of us out running, there's a lot of offices that are closed," he said. "So, when something really unexpected happens, we almost get panic-stricken."

Ross said you have a number of options, depending on the issue you're experiencing — telehealth, walk-in clinics, urgent care, and the emergency room.

How do you know what is the right choice for you?

"One of the things I always say is, when you consider what's going on, if you had your primary care doctor readily available on your cell phone, or if your best friend was a physician and you could easily pick up the phone and call them and you felt comfortable with that decision, then you could probably go online to one of the hospital's virtual care or express care options," said Ross.

Accordiing to Ross, walk-in clinics and urgent care might be the right option for minor issues, such as minor cuts and bruises, ear infections, sinus infections, and allergic reactions.

Still, Ross said the emergency room is never the wrong decision.

"Emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and are always staffed with the highest level of acuity," Ross said. "So, something totally new, something very alarming, go to the emergency room."

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Michael Patch said chest pain, trouble breathing, severe headaches, high fevers in older patients, and significant physical trauma are all examples of major concerns.

What's the difference between urgent care and walk-in clinics?

According to Ross, urgent care centers typically have the ability to do X-rays, lab tests, and minor medical procedures, while walk-in clinics usually cannot. 

What are common mistakes doctors see when it comes to seeking care on holidays?

"A lot of times, people just don't know what urgent care has to offer," said Patch. "So, they'll come to us for minor complaints, which is fine, we can usually treat them, but that is why urgent cares are there — to kind of unload that."

Patch said patients with minor issues may also have less of a wait time in urgent cares or walk-ins compared to ERs, since emergency room doctors have to prioritize the most serious cases.

To Ross, the biggest mistake is waiting.

"A common mistake is, 'It's Christmas, so I don't want to seek medical advice, I'll wait until the day after Christmas,'" Ross said.  "Unfortunately, for a lot of cases, that means you end up, instead of just an emergency room visit, you end up with a hospital admission because you waited a little bit too long in order to seek medical help."

What options are available in Tampa Bay?

BayCare operates several urgent care locations in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk Counties, though some locations do not offer weekend hours. 

TGH Urgent Care Powered by Fast Track has locations in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties, and also offers virtual visits.

AdventHealth Centra Care has locations in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Polk Counties for non-emergency issues.

South Tampa Immediate Care is closed on Christmas but is open on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and New Year's day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Quick Care Med in Citrus County offers walk-in clinic and urgent care services in person and through telehealth appointments.

Suncoast Urgent Care has locations in Hernando and Pasco Counties and will be open until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day.

In Manatee County, Manatee Urgent Care will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve but closed on Christmas Day.

These are just some of the resources available, along with 24/7 emergency room locations throughout Tampa Bay.