What is the difference between emergency and urgent care

You’re injured or ill. It’s after hours, and you can’t get in to see your doctor. You have two choices. Urgent care clinic or ER. Knowing the difference between an urgent care and an emergency room” will help you make the best decision.

With the growth of urgent care across the country, patients have more choices about how they spend their healthcare dollars. But it’s important to know the difference between the emergency room and an urgent care—and the services they provide. While emergency rooms are the best choice for those in life-threatening situations, an urgent care provider can treat those needing immediate, less serious care—and typically do it more affordably.

What’s the difference between an urgent care and an emergency room? Check out this infographic that gives you a closer look at both healthcare options.

How urgent care compares: Urgent Cares vs. Emergency Rooms

What is the difference between emergency and urgent care

Patients increasingly have a choice of where to receive healthcare services. This choice affects quality of care, speed of services, and overall cost to the national economy. Here’s a look at how urgent care clinics stack up:

Urgent cares continue to grow because of their affordability, ease of access, and low wait times for an appointment. Today, urgent cares meet the demands of patients who need immediate treatment but don’t require a visit to an ER.

Sources

  • Urgent Care Benchmarking Study (2012). Urgent Care Association of America. http://www.ucaoa.org/orderreports.php
  • The Case for Urgent Care (2011). Urgent Care Association of America. http://www.ucaoa.org/docs/WhitePaperTheCaseforUrgentCare.pdf
  • Weinick, R.M., Burns, R.M., and Mehrotra, A. “Many Emergency Department Visits Could Be Managed At Urgent Care Centers and Retail Clinics.” (September 2010). Health Affairs. http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/29/9/1630.abstract
  • National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2010 Emergency Department Summary Tables. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ahcd/nhamcs_emergency/2010_ed_web_tables.pdf
  • Trendwatch Chartbook 2013, Chapter 3: Utilization and Volume. (2013). National Center for Health Statistics. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/-data/hus/hus12.pdf
  • Health, United States, 2012: With Special Feature on Emergency Care. (2013). National Center for Health Statistics. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/-data/hus/hus12.pdf

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July 22, 2022

What is the difference between emergency and urgent care
 

There are a few key differences between urgent care and the emergency room (ER). Urgent care is for injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening. The emergency room, on the other hand, is for serious issues that may be considered a medical emergency.

One of the biggest differences between urgent care and the ER is the wait time and accessibility. Because urgent care centers deal with less serious medical issues, you won’t have to wait as long to be seen by a doctor or nurse. In addition, urgent care centers typically have extended hours, so you can get treatment even if your regular doctor’s office is closed. Urgent care centers are also typically less expensive than the ER.

When to Choose Urgent Care

Urgent care centers are a great option for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses. If you’re unsure whether your illness is appropriate for urgent care versus scheduling an appointment with your regular primary care doctor, it’s best to err on the side of caution and seek urgent medical attention. Urgent care centers are equipped to handle a variety of illnesses and injuries, so you’ll be in good hands no matter what’s wrong.

Here are just a few of the symptoms, illnesses, and conditions that can be effectively treated at an urgent care facility:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Acid reflux and GERD
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Bone breaks
  • Colds / flu
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Ear infections
  • Fever
  • Minor burns or wounds
  • Pink eye or other eye infections
  • Pneumonia
  • Preventive care: physical exam, vaccines
  • Pulled muscles
  • Rashes and skin disorders
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Sinus infections
  • Sore throat
  • Strep throat
  • Tendonitis and other repetitive use injuries
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Vomiting/nausea
  • Workplace injuries

When to Choose the ER

If you or a loved one are experiencing signs or symptoms of a life-threatening condition, the ER is your best bet. This includes issues such as sudden or severe:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Bleeding that won’t stop
  • Seizures
  • Concussions or head injuries
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Paralysis
  • A sudden, severe headache

Still Unsure?

If you’re not sure whether to go to the emergency room or an urgent care facility, consider the following: ERs are for life-threatening situations that require immediate medical attention, such as a heart attack or stroke. If you think you or someone else is having a medical emergency, call 911 right away. On the other hand, urgent care facilities can handle many less serious conditions, such as the flu, ear infections, and sprains. Urgent care is usually less expensive than the ER and will be able to see you much more quickly.

Urgent Care in Caledonia, NY

Are you having a hard time deciding whether to go to the ER or an urgent care center? We can help! Call us at Cornerstone Urgent Care Center in Rochester, New York, and we’d be happy to guide you to the most appropriate care facility. We serve patients from Rochester and the surrounding areas, including Caledonia. Call Cornerstone Urgent Care Center at (585) 207-0088, or simply visit us during our extended business hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm and Saturday – Sunday, 9 am – 7 pm.

What is considered an urgent emergency?

Severe abdominal pain. Severe chest pain or difficulty breathing. Heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain that lasts longer than two minutes. Stroke symptoms, such as vision loss, sudden numbness, weakness, slurred speech, or confusion.

What are the most common urgent care conditions?

Conditions Treated at Urgent Care Centers.
Sore throat..
Colds and flu..
Abdominal pain..
Allergic reactions..
Ear and eye infections..
Sprains and strains..
Fractures and dislocations..
Cuts, wounds, lacerations, and burns..