Let’s say you have been cutting onions or tomatoes, and then suddenly, you realize your thumb is bleeding. The pain is bad, and the cut looks quite deep too. What is your instant reaction? Do you go to an urgent care center or the emergency room (ER)?
You then search online for urgent healthcare near me and rush to this nearby center. But why is that so? There is a reason why there are emergency rooms and urgent care centers, and both are separate entities.
Since you are here, let us give you a sneak peek at the difference between them. Dive right into this quick post.
When Should You Go To An Urgent Care?
Urgent care centers are ideal for non-emergency situations, such as minor cuts or burns that may hurt or need quick dressing. These do not need appointments, so you can walk in at any time without calling the clinic.
In case you need an injection, vaccination, X-ray, stitches, lab services, or need a fix for fever, sinus pain, animal bites, sprains, strains, cuts, scrapes, bumps, headache, rashes, burning sensation, allergic reactions, etc., you may go to this urgent care center.
However, you must rush to an ER if a baby needs immediate care. Babies are delicate and too small, so they need special attention, especially when you know they can’t use words.
You might be wondering if even an ER can do these things. So why go to urgent care? Urgent care patients leave the clinic within an hour because the situation is less serious. Walk-ins are also welcome, so you don’t need to call.
Urgent care will be more affordable because ambulance rides are expensive.
When Should You Go to An ER?
Emergency rooms are ideal for any emergency. If it is a life-threatening situation, you must move to the ER. You must go to an ER if you have severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of vision, blurry vision, head trauma, bleeding that won’t stop, etc.
What’s the Difference Between the Two?
The severity of the medical situation is the difference between an ER and urgent care. So, you must figure out which suits your current medical condition.
You may go to urgent care if the problem is not very serious or life-threatening. Show up without calling – they welcome walk-ins. You will be out within an hour. But an ER is for serious medical conditions that could threaten your life.
Read the reviews, ratings, and testimonials before you go to an ER or urgent care. It is good to know about the best ones in your area and not leave this for the last moment.