Should you go to urgent care or the emergency room? How to know where to go

Jake Summerford, PA

Urgent Care

Should you go to urgent care or the emergency room? It’s an understandable question. When you or a loved one isn’t feeling well, it can be hard to know where to turn. Jake Summerford, PA-C, spoke with us on how understanding the difference between urgent care and the emergency department can help you get the right level of care when you need it most.

Urgent care: Everyday illnesses and injuries

“Urgent care works best as your go-to for those things that just can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment, but they aren’t potentially life-threatening emergencies,” said Summerford.

Head to urgent care to be seen for:

• Cough, cold, flu or COVID-like symptoms
• Ear infections, sore throats and sinus infections
• Minor cuts, burns or sprains
• Simple fractures
• Urinary tract infections
• Allergic reactions that don’t involve trouble breathing
• Skin rashes, insect bites or poison ivy
• Sports, work or school injuries

Urgent cares have dedicated clinicians and are equipped with onsite labs and X-rays. For most illnesses or injuries that fit the criteria, you can be seen, diagnosed and treated in a single visit. In situations where urgent care clinicians suspect a condition that is truly an emergency, they can let you know that you need to head to the ER or help you in getting an ambulance.

The emergency department is for true emergencies

“One of the top reasons you’ll be told to head to the ER is going to be for feelings of chest pain or pressure, classic symptoms of a heart attack,” said Summerford. “Allergic reactions that involve difficulty breathing or head injury resulting in a loss of consciousness also may need to be seen by physicians in the emergency room.”

Go straight to the emergency department (or call 911) if you experience:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe abdominal pain
• Sudden weakness, numbness or confusion (signs of a potential stroke)
• Severe head injury or loss of consciousness
• Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
• Major burns
• Seizures
• Suspected overdose or poisoning

If you’re ever unsure, trust your instincts or call 911. It’s always better to be safe when something feels serious.

Knowing where to go could save you time or even save your life

“Knowing where to go can make a big difference,” said Summerford. “You’ll be able to access care faster and closer to home when you head to urgent care, plus it helps to keep the emergency departments available and more able to handle emergencies.”

In the case of life-threatening illness or injury, heading to the emergency room right away might even help catch a deadly condition in time for treatment.