Yes, primary care can treat wounds, but only minor ones. Minor means non-life-threatening. For life-threatening wounds, it's necessary to go to the ER (emergency room). For instance, if a patient has an avulsion, that's a life-threatening wound that requires the ER. For a wound like an abrasion, though, you can come to primary care instead. Here's a list that should help you understand when to go to the ER or primary care for a wound: • For abrasions - These are minor scrapes, like road rash; primary care can handle common abrasions • For lacerations - These are deeper cuts or minor skin tears, like a cut from a pair of scissors; primary care can handle lacerations that are bleeding controllably, but the ER is necessary for lacerations that are bleeding uncontrollably • For punctures - These are small holes made in the skin by something like a nail; primary care can handle these so long as an organ isn't damaged, but if an organ is damaged, the ER is necessary • For avulsions - With these wounds, the skin and tissue is partially torn away due to an injury from something like a car accident; only the ER can handle these wounds You might be thinking you could go to the ER for all wounds, but if you go there for a minor wound, you'll have to wait for service. For these minor wounds, it's better to go to primary care. Please keep in mind, however, that the ER is necessary for life-threatening wounds, like avulsions, as only the ER is properly equipped to handle them.