Injuries and illnesses often occur at the worst, most inconvenient times. It can take days to get into your primary care physician for an appointment. Should patients go to the emergency room or an Urgent Care Center when these situations occur?
Many patients are unsure of where to go when unexpected injuries and/or illnesses occur. The emergency department is often overutilized by situations that could be handled at an Urgent Care Center. The following informational guide was created to help patients understand which is the better option for their unique situation.
The Emergency Room (ER)
The emergency room should be utilized in life threatening situations, require advanced testing, and/or immediate surgery. There are certain symptoms that Urgent Care Centers are not able to treat.
ER Required Symptoms Include:
- Chest Pain
- Difficulty Breathing
- Slurred Speech
- Head or Eye Injury
- Concussions
- Fainting
- Numbness on One Side of the Body
- Broken Bones
- Fever Accompanied by Rash
- Seizures
- Facial Lacerations
Any time that you think that an injury or illness may potentially be serious or life threatening you should visit the emergency room department immediately.
When to Call 911
It is better to be safe and call 911 for emergency medical attention if you are unsure of whether or not you can drive safely. Call 911 immediately if you suspect that you are having a heart attack, stroke, or severe bleeding.
Urgent Care Centers
Urgent Care Centers are the fastest, most affordable way to receive medical care for illnesses and injuries that are not considered emergencies. Urgent Care Centers can treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries any time, day or night.
Treatable Conditions Include:
- Flu-Like Symptoms
- Abdominal Pain
- Dehydration
- Fever (w/o Rash)
- Sprains and Strains
- Small Lacerations
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Urgent Care Centers are an excellent resource that allows patients to seek medical attention for non-life threatening conditions when they need to be seen promptly.
Primary Physician
It is always a good idea to reach out to your primary physician for a follow-up. Your primary care physician knows your health history and needs to stay updated on your condition.
Come Prepared
The most important thing to remember when seeking medical care is to notify the nurse of any allergies, previous surgeries, and current medications. Keep a list of all of your current medications for when you need prompt medical care. This is critically important whether you choose to go to the ER or an Urgent Care Center. This is because it provides medical professionals the knowledge needed to prevent dangerous situations, including aggravating an existing condition, or a potential drug interaction.
Stop In Urgent Care Today
Urgent Care should be your first stop and if they are not able to treat you, they will refer you to the emergency department. Stop in your local Urgent Care Center today if you are experiencing any non-life threatening injury or illness.
