The ED or the Urgent Care Center:
Do You Know Where to Go?
Making choices can be tough:
especially when you or a loved
one needs quick medical attention and
you don’t have much time to decide
where to go for help.
Studies show that half of all Emergency Department (ED) visits are not for true emergencies. And the less of an emergency you have, the longer you may have to wait to get the care you need, because doctors and nurses may be busy treating other patients in life-or-death situations. That’s why knowing where to go for appropriate care — whether it’s the ED or an urgent care center — is important.
What’s the Difference?
An ED and an urgent care center offer some of the same services, like X-rays and blood tests. But they differ in important ways. For example, an ED is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and treats patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries. An urgent care center has limited hours and is designed to treat minor medical problems.What’s an Urgent Care Need?
An urgent care center, such as the new NowCare Clinic (see front cover for more information), is the right place to go for nonemergency medical problems that need immediate attention. You can visit an urgent care center for many reasons. A few examples include:- Minor sprains
- Small cuts
- Sore throats
- Fevers
- Ear infections
What’s a True Emergency?
Although this is not a complete list, here are examples of true emergency situations:- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Head or back injuries
- Bleeding or vomiting that won’t stop
- Loss of consciousness
- Poisoning
- Major burns and cuts
- Choking
Even though an urgent care center can provide important medical treatment, if you are in doubt, go to the nearest ED or call 911 or your local emergency number.
