Urgent care vs. the emergency room? There are a lot of different factors that distinguish each of these professional medical facilities. Next time you need to decide which of these two to go to, reference back to this article to get the best possible care for you or a loved one.
The Emergency Room
Emergency rooms are staffed 24/7 with physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses. Going to an emergency room gives you quick access to expert providers who can perform imaging and laboratory consults.
Generally speaking, the ER is for life or limb-threatening health conditions and is the best option when you need immediate medical attention. ERs are more for severe health conditions or scenarios.
Symptoms That Bring You to an Emergency Room
- Chest pain
- Head injuries
- Compound fractures
- Seizures
- Abdominal pain
- Uncontrolled breathing
Urgent Care Clinics
The major difference between urgent care vs. the emergency room is the type of services they can provide. Urgent care clinics typically have set business hours and can be found in standalone facilities and commercial plazas. Generally, symptoms brought to urgent care are not life threatening but cannot wait until tomorrow for a doctor’s appointment.
Clinics are staffed with physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses (occasionally, there is a physician). Urgent care is less expensive than the ER, and the wait time is shortened. While urgent care clinics can provide basic imaging and labs, they are not as advanced as the ER.
Symptoms That Bring You to an Urgent Care Clinic
- Earache
- Diarrhea
- Sore throat
- Minor cuts and burns
- Muscle/joint pain
- Skin conditions
AFC Urgent Care wants you to have all the information you need to make a sound decision when choosing between urgent care and the emergency room. We offer a Raleigh, NC, walk-in clinic to help with urgent care needs. And always remember, if you cannot drive yourself to the ER and have difficulty breathing, life-threatening injuries, or signs of a stroke or heart attack, call 911.
