Urgent Care or Emergency Room: Where Should You Go?

Urgent Care or Emergency Room: Where Should You Go?

When you or someone in your family suddenly gets sick or injured, it can be difficult to know where to go for care. Should you visit an Urgent Care, or is it serious enough to go directly to the Emergency Room (ER)?

Choosing the right type of care can help you receive treatment faster and make sure you get the level of care you need.

When to Visit Urgent Care

Urgent Care is a good option for medical problems that need attention but are not life-threatening. You may consider visiting Urgent Care for conditions such as:

• Back or muscle pain
• Bronchitis
• Cuts and minor burns
• Diarrhea
• Earaches
• Skin conditions
• Sprains or joint pain
• Upper respiratory infections
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Vomiting

Urgent Care can often provide treatment when your regular doctor’s office is unavailable or when you need care sooner.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

The Emergency Room is equipped to treat serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. You should go to the ER if you experience symptoms such as:

• Chest pain or pressure
• A compound fracture, when a bone protrudes through the skin
• A serious head injury
• Pneumonia or severe symptoms affecting your breathing
• Seizures
• Severe abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath
• A sudden, severe headache
• Sudden paralysis or weakness
• Uncontrolled bleeding

When to Call 911

Some medical emergencies require immediate help. Always call 911 and do not drive yourself to the Emergency Department if you are experiencing difficulty breathing, severe shortness of breath, a life- or limb-threatening injury, or signs of a stroke or heart attack.

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are an emergency, it is always better to take them seriously and seek medical help.

Getting the Right Care at the Right Time

Knowing the difference between Urgent Care and the Emergency Room can help you make an informed decision when an unexpected illness or injury occurs.

For health concerns that are not life-threatening but need prompt attention, Urgent Care may be the right choice. For serious or life-threatening symptoms, the Emergency Room—or calling 911—is the safest option.