It’s a frequently asked question: Should I go to the ER or Urgent Care? It’s asked even more during the holiday season when people tend to be “too busy” to take care of themselves. But it’s important to remember that certain ailments or conditions must be treated immediately so that they don’t become true emergencies. There are many times that Urgent Care will be much more affordable than an ER visit, and knowing how to choose where to go is vitally important to the care you receive.
Emergency Rooms are often the place people go when they sustain more urgent or life-threatening conditions. Urgent Care Centers are great for any sort of condition that requires care within a 24-hour period but is not a life-threatening condition.
What Constitutes An Emergency?
An emergency is anything that is threatening your life or well-being if you do not have it cared for as soon as possible. These include things such as:
*bone fractures/breaks
*convulsions/seizures/loss of consciousness
*deep wounds
*fever in newborns (under 3 months old)
*uncontrollable bleeding
*severe burns
*poisoning
*pregnancy-related issues
*head/neck/back injuries
*chest pains/difficulty breathing
*sign of heart attack/stroke/aneurysm
What is Considered an Urgent Medical Condition?
An urgent medical condition is a condition that needs care within the next 24 hours. It requires professional medical assistance but in most cases is not immediately life-threatening. These kinds of conditions include the following:
*accidents/falls
*bleeding/cuts
*breathing difficulties
*diagnostic services (MRI, CT, CAT, etc. scans)
*eye swelling or redness
*fever or flu
*broken bones/fractures
*moderate back pain
*persisting sore throats or coughs
*skin rashes or infections
*sprains and strains
*UTIs
*vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration
Conclusions:
If a problem seems vital or life-threatening you do not want to visit an urgent care center. Please dial 9-1-1 or head immediately to the Emergency Room.
If you have a concerning condition that needs to be checked in the next several hours today please feel free to visit your local M.D. Express Urgent Care for treatment. When in doubt, visit the ER, but remember that M.D. Express Urgent Care can provide quality treatment for many of life’s minor to moderate ailments that you may need to be treated for.
Our 5 convenient locations are open 7 days a week, from 9 AM to 9 PM to provide you with the highest quality medical treatment for life’s minor aches and pains. And the best part is that even on a holiday, our Doctor is Always In!
