Urgent Care vs Emergency Room. Where Should I Go?

Urgent care is a great alternative for the emergency room, however, the two are not interchangeable for all medical conditions. Knowing where to go can help you get the treatment you need, whether a life-threatening or a minor injury.

When to go to Urgent Care

Urgent care is not a replacement for your primary care provider or the emergency room. However, it is an option for medical care when your doctor is not available, or it is after normal primary care hours.

You can go to urgent care for a variety of non-emergent conditions and illnesses, including:

• Sprains, strains, and cuts
• Minor infections, rashes, and sore throats
• Acute care concerns
• Minor injuries
• Minor broken bones
• Colds, flu, and earaches
• Minor burns
• Blood pressure concerns

Often urgent care is considered the “middle ground” between your primary care provider and the emergency room. Going to urgent care can be more convenient due to shorter wait times and the potential for lower costs.

When to go to the Emergency Room

While urgent care is a great alternative to the emergency room, it is not a suitable replacement for life or limb-threatening health conditions. Emergency departments are staffed with physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses trained in emergency care. This allows for quick access to providers in advanced specialties like cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics that may not be available in urgent care.

It is important to go to the emergency room or call 911 if you are experiencing illness, injury, or symptoms that could cause death or disability, such as:

• An allergic reaction with trouble breathing, hives, or swelling
• Chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes
• Difficulty breathing
• Heavy bleeding, severe burns, or deep wounds
• High fever with a headache or stiff neck
• Injury to the neck, spine, or head, especially if you are also experiencing other symptoms
• Passing out, fainting, or having seizures
• Poisoning or overdose
• Serious injuries
• Severe and persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Sudden severe headache or pain, such as in the jaw or arm
• Sudden confusion, weakness, loss of balance, face drooping, blurred vision, slurred speech, or other signs of a stroke
• Blood pressure of 180/120 or greater

EMS providers can provide quicker care in the event of life and limb-threatening injuries. Therefore, if you are having difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, a life or limb injury, or signs of a stroke or heart attack, always call 911 and never drive yourself to the emergency room.

Sources: emergencyphysicians.org, mayoclinichealthsystem.org, heart.org