SOR (Szpitalny Oddział Ratunkowy) is a hospital emergency department that provides urgent medical care in cases of serious illness or injury. Its purpose is to help in critical situations, when immediate medical intervention is needed and delaying treatment could lead to a worsening health condition.

When and who can go to the SOR

You should go to the nearest SOR when you or someone around you needs urgent medical help due to a serious illness or injury. This may include situations such as heart attacks, severe injuries, unbearable pain, loss of consciousness, and other conditions that require immediate attention.

SOR is also the right place when you cannot wait for a doctor’s appointment because the situation requires immediate treatment and postponing care could cause the health condition to get worse.

Another important point is availability. SOR operates 24/7, including weekends and public holidays, when most other medical facilities are not admitting patients.

Why SOR is not a replacement for a family doctor

It is important to understand that the SOR is not a substitute for a regular visit to a family doctor. Its role is to provide emergency care in critical situations. In the case of milder illnesses or symptoms, it is recommended to contact your family doctor or local medical facilities.

What to do if you need to use the SOR

In life-threatening situations, call an ambulance by dialing 112. If you experience symptoms that require urgent treatment but are not life-threatening, and you are able to reach the SOR on your own, you should go immediately to the nearest department.

A list of SOR departments by voivodeship is available here: https://pacjent.gov.pl/szpitalny-oddzial-ratunkowy-sor

What to expect during a SOR visit

A visit to the SOR includes specific procedures, including triage — a system used to assess a patient’s condition in order to determine treatment priority. Patients in the most serious condition will be treated first.