Emergency room, or urgent care center?
Q: When should I go to the emergency room, rather than an urgent care center? A: While the answer is not always simple, knowing the difference between urgent care and emergency care could save your life. You don't want to be pondering this decision when you're sick or injured.
Q: When should I go to the emergency room, rather than an urgent care center?
A: While the answer is not always simple, knowing the difference between urgent care and emergency care could save your life. You don't want to be pondering this decision when you're sick or injured.
The ER is for serious conditions, when delaying care could cause permanent harm or even death. Hospital ERs have specially trained staffs who can recognize, diagnose, and make recommendations on a wide variety of issues.
Urgent care centers are designed for illnesses and injuries that need medical attention, but are not life-threatening. Urgent care is a good place to receive care after hours, on holidays, or when your primary care physician isn't available.
You should go to an ER when you have:
Persistent chest pain, especially radiating to your arm or jaw or accompanied by sweating, vomiting, or shortness of breath
Persistent shortness of breath or wheezing
Severe pain in the abdomen or starting halfway down the back
Difficulty speaking, altered mental status, or confusion
Weakness or paralysis
Severe heart palpitations
Falls with injury or while taking blood-thinning medications
Head and eye injuries
Broken bones or dislocated joints
Deep cuts that need stitches
High fevers or fevers with rash
Bleeding that won't stop or a large open wound
Serious burns
You may choose an urgent care center for:
Minor trauma, such as a common sprain
Ear infections
Fever or flulike symptoms
Allergic reactions
Minor burns or injuries
Coughs, colds, sore throats
Animal bites