Whether you're a visitor or a resident, Door County Medical Center (DCMC) is dedicated to ensuring you receive the right care, right when you need it. With three distinct options for prompt service—Urgent Care, Direct Care, and the Emergency Department—DCMC provides a comprehensive range of healthcare services tailored to meet your needs effectively.

Understanding the distinctions between DirectCare, Urgent Care, and Emergency Care empowers you to make informed decisions about where to seek treatment based on the urgency and severity of your condition. From minor illness to urgent medical attention, we're here to provide you with the care you need, right when you need it.

DirectCare: 911 Green Bay Rd., Sturgeon Bay.

DirectCare offers a straightforward way to meet with a clinician face-to-face and is ideal for medical issues that are neither urgent nor life-threatening. Whether it's flu symptoms, a sore throat, ear pain, or even a urinary tract infection (UTI), DirectCare provides an intentionally limited menu of services to support efficient, affordable care.

While DirectCare is not a replacement for your Primary Care Provider, it is an option for a minor, non-emergency medical concern that may require an in-person visit with a healthcare professional. It's a great place to start, and should you require a higher level of care, you'll be able to get that process going right from DirectCare.

DirectCare also offers on-site point-of-care testing—basic tests that provide rapid results for immediate medical decisions.

Available point-of-care tests include:

• Urine dipstick
• Pregnancy
• Covid
• Flu
• Rapid strep
• Procedures and labs that are not available at DirectCare include: X-rays, stitches, and laboratory tests that require blood draws. Additionally, DirectCare is not available for children under 12 months of age.

All visits are available at a flat rate of $99—a DirectPay bundled rate for patients looking to pay at the time of service, including the office visit and any point-of-care testing. You also have the option to bill their insurance at the DCMC standard visit rate, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Same-day appointments may be scheduled online, or you can simply walk in. Located on the West side of Sturgeon Bay, DirectCare is easily accessible from the highway. Despite our street address of 911, DirectCare is not an emergency service. DirectCare is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Urgent Care: 323 S 18th Ave., Sturgeon Bay.

Urgent Care is a walk-in clinic that provides quality healthcare when your primary care physician's offices are closed. It's the perfect choice for conditions requiring immediate attention but not deemed life-threatening, such as sprains, earaches, tick bites, and stitches.

"We understand that patients may feel more comfortable presenting to Urgent Care rather than the Emergency Room for various reasons," explains Sandy Vandertie, RN, Outpatient Services Director at DCMC. "The advantage of being in Door County Medical Center is that both entities are literally across the hall from one another."

"For someone mindful about choosing the right space at the right time and for the right cost, they have multiple options. Urgent Care is akin to an appointment in your primary care physician's office," adds Vandertie. "Though we operate as separate departments with distinct staff, my ER nurses are cross-trained to work in Urgent Care. Understanding each other's roles enhances our collaboration and improves patient care."

Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, including holidays, Urgent Care provides timely treatment for various urgent medical needs. No appointment is necessary—simply walk in.

Emergency Department: 323 S 18th Ave., Sturgeon Bay.

In life-threatening situations, award-winning emergency care is as close as Sturgeon Bay. Our Emergency Department at Door County Medical Center is equipped to handle critical conditions such as heart attacks, severe injuries, or other emergent medical issues.

Our dedicated team responds swiftly and effectively, whether it's sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a serious accident. "We offer flexibility for our patients to choose where they think they need to be cared for," says Vandertie. "If they happen to choose incorrectly and would be better served in the ER, then it is our job as healthcare professionals to help them understand and explain why they are going to be better served in the emergency room."

For severe, life or limb-threatening emergencies, the Emergency Department is staffed and ready to provide expert care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Emergent, Urgent or Direct? My DCMC App Can Help

When it comes to deciding where to seek medical care, having access to accurate and up-to-date information is crucial. That's where the My DCMC app comes in. Designed to provide patients with a seamless and personalized healthcare experience, the My DCMC app offers a wealth of resources to help you make informed decisions about your care.

"The My DCMC app's home screen presents cards for each type of care: Emergency Care, Urgent Care, DirectCare, and Virtual Care," explains Shannon Hartel, Web Applications Developer and Business Intelligence Analyst at DCMC. "Tapping on each of these will provide you with detailed information, including what level of care to seek (Emergency, Urgent, or Direct), Urgent Care wait times, hours of operation, phone numbers, and directions to each care facility."

By leveraging the My DCMC app, patients gain access to vital information tailored to their specific healthcare needs, ensuring a streamlined and personalized experience from start to finish. Whether you're scheduling an appointment, checking wait times, or obtaining directions to our care facilities, the My DCMC app empowers you to manage your healthcare journey easily.

If you need clarification on which facility is right for you, please call (920) 743-5566. With our convenient locations and comprehensive range of services, you can trust us to provide the care and support you need, right when you need it.