Emergency red flags in Key West
Most complaints in Key West can wait their turn. A few cannot. Know the symptoms that mean call 911 or go to the ER, not an urgent care clinic.
Published 2026-05-20
The difference that matters
Most complaints that walk into a Key West clinic on a Tuesday can wait their turn. A few cannot. The difference matters more than anything else on this island. Urgent care clinics and orthopedic offices are excellent for a wide range of concerns. But they are not equipped for certain emergencies, and arriving at one with a true emergency costs time you may not have. The list below is not meant to frighten you. It is meant to give you a clear, fast answer when things go wrong. Learn it before you need it. When in doubt, the emergency room is the right call.
Emergency
Cardiac and breathing emergencies
Your chest does not lie. If you have chest pain, pressure, or tightness, especially with pain spreading to your arm, jaw, or back, call 911. Do not drive yourself. Do not wait to see if it passes. The same rule applies to sudden shortness of breath that is not explained by exertion, a rapid or irregular heartbeat with dizziness or fainting, and coughing up blood. These symptoms can mean a heart attack, a pulmonary embolism, or another condition where every minute of delay has consequences. Key West has beautiful weather and a fine hospital emergency room. The second is more relevant right now.
Emergency
Stroke signs
A stroke moves fast and stops for nothing. The FAST signs you have heard about are real: Face drooping on one side, Arm weakness when you raise both arms, Speech that is slurred or confused. Any one of them is enough to call 911. Add to the list: a sudden severe headache unlike any you have had before, sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, sudden inability to understand what someone is saying to you, and loss of consciousness. These are not things that improve with a nap or a glass of water. Call 911. Time is the only medicine that matters.
Emergency
Major trauma, bleeding, and fractures
Falls happen on this island: boat decks, cobblestones, rented scooters. Most are orthopedic injuries. Some are emergencies. Call 911 or go directly to the Lower Keys Emergency Room for: a fall or accident with significant impact to the head, neck, or back; uncontrolled bleeding that does not slow with direct pressure; an open fracture where bone is visible through the skin; a limb below an injury that has gone pale, cold, or pulseless; or any trauma that leaves someone unconscious or unresponsive. If you suspect a spinal injury after a fall, do not move the person. Call 911 and wait for trained help.
Emergency
Back pain with neurological red flags
Ordinary back pain is common and usually orthopedic. But back pain with certain accompanying symptoms is a different matter entirely. Go to the emergency room immediately if back pain comes with new weakness or numbness in both legs at once, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs (what doctors call saddle anesthesia). These patterns can indicate cauda equina syndrome, which requires emergency surgical evaluation and has a narrow treatment window. Do not take this to an orthopedic office or urgent care. Go directly to the Lower Keys Emergency Room or call 911.
Emergency
Anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions
Key West has jellyfish, fire coral, wasps, and bees, and some people carry allergies they have never tested. If someone develops throat swelling, severe hives that spread rapidly, difficulty breathing, or a sudden drop in blood pressure after a sting, bite, or food, call 911. This is anaphylaxis. An Epipen, if available, should be used immediately while waiting for help. Urgent care can handle mild allergic reactions. Anaphylaxis is not a mild allergic reaction. The distinction is the airway. If breathing is compromised in any way, the emergency room is the only appropriate destination.
When you are not sure
If you are reading this list and genuinely cannot tell whether your situation qualifies as an emergency, the answer is simple: go to the emergency room. The cost of an unnecessary ER visit is irritation and a bill. The cost of skipping the ER when you needed it is something else entirely. For everything else (most sprains, strains, suspected fractures without emergency signs, joint pain, back pain without neurological red flags, illness, sunburn, marine stings, and minor injury), urgent care and orthopedic clinics handle those well. Key West Healthcare lists both in the directory. The emergency room is for the list above.
Frequently asked questions.
How do I know if something is an emergency in Key West?
If you are unsure, go to the emergency room or call 911. The cost of an unnecessary ER visit is irritation and a waiting room. The cost of skipping the ER when you needed it is something else entirely. This page lists the most common red-flag symptoms, but it is not a complete list. When in doubt, go.
Where is the emergency room in Key West?
The Lower Keys Emergency Room serves Key West and the Lower Keys. Visit emergencyroomnow.com/lower-keys/ for current information. Key West Healthcare cannot confirm current hours or wait times.
Can I go to urgent care instead of the ER for serious symptoms?
No. Urgent care clinics in Key West are equipped for non-emergency illness and minor injury. They do not have the imaging, staffing, or equipment to handle cardiac events, stroke, major trauma, or other true emergencies. For any of the symptoms on this list, call 911 or go directly to the Lower Keys Emergency Room.
See also: ER vs urgent care decision guide · Find the right care now · Urgent care in Key West · Emergency and hospital directory
When to call 911.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go directly to the Lower Keys Emergency Room. Do not use this website to locate care during an active emergency.