Urgent Care vs ED: Where to Go and When?
It is 7 p.m. on a Tuesday evening and you are preparing dinner. You begin cutting a potato and instead slice your finger. The pain isn't terrible, but the cut looks deep and is bleeding badly. So, what do you do? Do you visit your local emergency department? Or your nearest urgent care center?
This is a type of dilemma many people face. Urgent care centers are opening in many locations, but most people don't know what makes them different from emergency departments.
When to Go to Urgent Care
Urgent care centers like ChoiceOne Urgent Care, a partner with UM BWMC, are perfect for most non-emergency situations. They're also ideal if something happens outside of your primary care provider's normal business hours. For example, most ChoiceOne Urgent Care clinics are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year.
You should visit an urgent care center if you experience any of the following:
* Minor fractures
* X-rays
* Back pain
* Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
* Minor headaches
* Bumps, cuts and scrapes
* Fever
* Ear or sinus pain
* Cough or sore throat
* Animal bites
* Stitches
* Sprains and strains
* Mild asthma
* Foreign objects in the eyes or nose
* Allergies
* Rashes and minor burns
* Burning with urination
* Eye irritation, swelling or pain
* Minor allergic reactions
* Cold or flu symptoms
* Or if you need blood work, lab services or vaccinations
When to Go to the Emergency Department
Emergency departments are perfect for emergency situations. If you have a life-threatening condition, go straight to your nearest ED. Such conditions include:
* Chest pain
* Difficulty breathing
* Stroke
* Head trauma
* Severe bleeding
* Loss of vision
The difference between urgent care and emergency rooms is the severity of the health problem. If the condition is life-threatening, go to an emergency room.
Fore more information, please visit our
website. And remember - when in doubt, always call 911!
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