Emergency Room or Urgent Care?

Is it serious enough for the ER? Or would it be better off going to an Urgent Care?    The determining factors in choosing is based on how someone is feeling…such as when you have a life-threatening situation, such as chest pain, or a sudden and severe pain, the emergency department of the nearest hospital is the only option. If you went to an Urgent Care Clinic, they'd most likely just send you on to the ER in an ambulance. But if your condition is less serious, but still requires immediate attention, choosing an urgent care facility can save you loads of time and money, as well as keeping the emergency room free to handle more serious situations.  

When you need to go to the Emergency Room: If you have a serious condition - stroke, heart attack, severe bleeding, head injury or other major trauma - go straight to the nearest ER. The ER is the best place for these and other critical conditions, including:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding or head trauma
• Loss of consciousness
• Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision

When an Urgent Care Center is the faster/more cost-efficient choice:

• Minor burns or injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Coughs, colds, and sore throats
• Ear infections
• Allergic reactions (non-life-threatening)
• Fever or flu-like symptoms
• Rash or other skin irritations
• Mild asthma
• Animal bites
• Broken Bones

And when in doubt, call ahead. If the Urgent Care Clinic in question can't accommodate your condition, they will advise you to go the nearest emergency facility.