Have you been to the emergency room recently? If so, you’re likely among the 14.5 million Americans who made a non-COVID related trip.
During an unexpected medical event, it can be hard to decide whether to head to the ER or urgent care.
There’s no single right answer. Which facility best suits your needs will depend on a huge variety of factors, including the severity, urgency, and nature of the illness or injury.
What’s worse is, choosing wrong can cost you big time! Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of when to go where – and get ready to save yourself some time and money.
Emergency Room
When comparing the ER vs urgent care, the most important distinction is whether or not you are dealing with a medical emergency. These life-threatening conditions could escalate quickly, leading to serious adverse effects and even death. And, in some cases, will require 911 medical assistance.
So, if you’re asking yourself, “should I go to the emergency room or urgent care?” the answer is simple – you should only go to the ER if you are dealing with a true emergency. These include, but are not limited to:
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart attack or stroke symptoms
- Serious injuries won’t stop bleeding or close
- Seizures
- Extreme allergic reaction
- A sudden change in mental state or loss of consciousness
- Multiple severe injuries or a possible broken bone in vital areas – ribs, skull, face or pelvis
- Severe pregnancy complications
Other key differences between the ER and urgent care include the price and how long you’ll wait – so it’s essential to skip this stop unless it’s mandatory.
Urgent Care
Still not sure when to go to urgent care vs the er? No worries. Try thinking of urgent care as a step in between your doctor’s office and the emergency room.
This service is designed for medical intervention when the situation is serious but not a life and death emergency. And, rest assured that you’ll be moved to the ER if, for any reason, your urgent care visit is deemed too serious for the facility’s staff. Some of the most common causes for an urgent care visit include:
- Severe fevers and colds
- Severe vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Strains or simple bone breaks – arms, legs, and other extremities
- Minor cuts and injuries
- Mild asthma attacks
- Sudden and intense pain with urination
If there’s still doubt in your mind about whether is it better to go to urgent care or the ER, you probably are not experiencing a major medical emergency. That’s great news!
Visit qcurgentcare.com to schedule an appointment or get more information on walk-in care.
To Your Health!
Now that you’ve learned a bit more about the differences between a hospital’s ER and urgent care, you’re prepared to assess the next injury or illness you come across with ease. That’s awesome! Not only will this valuable information help the patient connect with the absolute best medical care available for their circumstances, but it could also save you a small fortune in medical expenses.
Do you want to learn more about health? Check out the rest of our homepage for the hottest tips and tricks for men and women with a focus on wellness. Our blog posts touch on fitness and exercise, personal care, chronic conditions, and more!