In many cases, unexpected illness or injury is severe enough that waiting for a doctor’s visit is an unlikely option. In such situations, it’s important to know whether it’s best to visit an urgent care facility or an emergency department. Knowing more about these two healthcare options will help save time, money, and will ensure that the care provided is adequate for the injury or illness.
Urgent Care
For injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening, it’s usually best to visit an urgent care facility like Total Care Family Medical Center. These facilities are typically open later than physician’s offices and some may be open on holidays and weekends, making it a convenient option. Urgent care staff often have access to labs and x-rays on-site, so they can treat issues including:
- Cold/flu symptoms
- Infections
- Minor cuts and sprains
- Minor burns
- Animal bites
- UTI
- Headaches/back/joint pain
- Earaches
Urgent care centers might also have shorter wait times when compared to emergency rooms. Urgent care visits are often much cheaper than ER, even for the same health issues. As a general rule of thumb, if it’s not life-threatening, visit an urgent care center. Urgent Care in Canyon Lake CA is one viable option for those in the local area.
Emergency Department
Emergency rooms (ER) are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are staffed to deal with true emergencies. Many people first think of the ER when immediate assistance is needed. Unfortunately, the unnecessary overuse of ERs causes long wait times and reduces staff availability when true emergency cases arrive on-site. For life-threatening medical emergencies, the ER is necessary; urgent care centers, such as Urgent Care in Canyon Lake CA, are recommended for non-life-threatening situations. Some of the medical issues that ERs address include:
- Numbness, weakness, or other signs of stroke
- Sudden dizziness or loss of coordination
- Shortness of breath or severe asthma attack
- Heart attack or chest pain
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Major trauma, such as head or car accident injuries
- Other life-threatening medical emergencies
In case of an emergency medical event, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
While it might seem convenient to visit an emergency room for minor medical events every time the physician’s office is closed, it’s typically wiser to choose an urgent care facility. Not only can it save time and money, but it allows ER staff to do what they do best: deal with true emergencies.
