You’re cutting veggies in the kitchen and accidentally slice your finger. It’s bleeding badly, and the cut looks deep. What do you do? Should you head to the local emergency room or the nearest urgent care clinic?
Knowing where to go for help when dealing with an injury or illness is important. So, what’s the difference between an emergency room and an urgent care clinic?
If you have a life-threatening situation, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
What’s the difference between urgent care and emergency room?
If you need immediate medical attention, your first thought may be to go to the ER. But when it’s not life-threatening, urgent care can offer a more convenient, affordable way to get help. Here are some quick comparisons to consider:
- 90% of urgent care patients wait less than 30 minutes to see a provider. The wait is 60 minutes or more at most ERs.
- An average urgent care visit costs under $200. An ER visit can easily cost over $1,000.
- You can find urgent care clinics in convenient, nearby locations. Hospital ERs are typically a longer drive away.
- Urgent care can send records to your primary care physician and connect you with specialists if needed.
- Urgent care clinics take most major insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and worker’s compensation.
Learn More: Urgent Care vs Emergency Room Costs: What You Need to Know
When to choose urgent care?
Urgent care clinics handle non-life-threatening situations. Many, like Integrity Urgent Care, are staffed with emergency-trained doctors and nurses who have access to x-rays and on-site labs. Most urgent care clinics have extended hours, including weekends and holidays. Choosing an urgent care clinic instead of the ER can save you time and money.
An urgent care clinic can treat a wide range of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, including:
- Minor fractures, sprains, and strains
- Colds, flu, fever, viruses, and upper respiratory infections
- Cuts, scrapes, wounds, abrasions, and burns
- Earaches and ear infections
- Bit or puncture wounds
- Sports and work-related injuries
When to choose an emergency room?
ERs are meant for severe medical emergencies, such as trauma, surgical procedures, and other life-threatening situations. Most hospital ERs are open 24/7.
Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if you experience:
- Chest pain
- Disorientation or difficulty speaking
- Seizure or loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Head trauma
- Loss of vision
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Overdose
Choose Integrity Urgent Care
The next time you need medical attention for a non-life-threatening injury or illness, take advantage of the convenience and affordability of an urgent care clinic. Integrity Urgent Care, part of the Xpress Wellness family, offers on-site x-ray and lab services. Our highly-trained staff has ER experience, so you get quality care while avoiding the cost of an ER visit. Walk into an Integrity Urgent Care Clinic near you or check in online.
