Urgent care versus emergency room: Which do I go to?

Where do you go when you twist your ankle while hiking? Start having chest pains? Got a cold that you just can’t get rid of? Sometimes, it can be difficult to know whether an injury or illness should go straight to the emergency room or can be cared for at an urgent care facility. The things to think about include the severity of injury or illness, wait time, cost, and diagnostic capabilities.

When should you go to urgent care versus an emergency room?

You should consider going to urgent care for non-life-threatening medical issues that require prompt attention but are not severe or critical emergencies. Urgent care is also suitable for conditions that cannot wait for a regular doctor's appointment, such as sudden illnesses or injuries that occur outside of regular office hours.

On the other hand, you should go to an emergency room for serious or life-threatening medical emergencies that require immediate medical attention. The ER is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by health care professionals trained to handle critical situations and provide life-saving interventions.

Conditions best treated by emergency care

• Heart attacks

• Strokes

• Severe injuries

• Difficulty breathing

• Severe allergic reactions

• Loss of consciousness

• Severe chest pain

• Major trauma

• Severe bleeding

Conditions best treated at urgent care

• Minor injuries

• Fevers

• Flu-like symptoms

• Ear infections

• Urinary tract infections

• Mild asthma attacks

• Minor cuts or burns needing treatment

What is express care?

Express care refers to a type of health care service that offers prompt and efficient medical attention for minor illnesses and injuries. Similar to urgent care, express care facilities provide convenient access to health care services without the need for an appointment, often on a walk-in basis. However, express care centers typically focus on providing quicker and more streamlined services, aiming to address patients' needs rapidly and efficiently. 

These facilities may offer a limited range of services compared to urgent care or emergency rooms, focusing primarily on treating common ailments like colds, flu, minor cuts, sprains, and strains. Express care centers may also provide basic diagnostic services and prescriptions for medications. The emphasis in express care is on delivering rapid care for minor medical issues in a convenient and accessible manner.