Emergency room or urgent care? Here’s how to decide which is right for you
Emergency department or urgent care center? Both are options when it comes to immediate medical care, but which one is the best choice for chest pain? How about stitches?
PeaceHealth offers tips for deciding which choice is best when you’re having health issues in Whatcom County:
▪ In general, always trust your instincts and head to the emergency department if an illness is serious or life-threatening.
▪ Consider a trip to the emergency department if you are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, suddenly lost or blurred vision, a major bone fracture or any other conditions that are life- or limb-threatening.
▪ If you need care late at night or early in the morning, then an emergency room may be your only option.
▪ Infants under 3 years old should always be taken to the emergency room if they are having a medical issue.
▪ For medical problems that are not life-threatening but still require prompt or immediate attention, urgent care or same-day care facility may be the best option. Many urgent care centers are open late and on holidays.
▪ Injuries and illnesses such as allergies, asthma attacks, moderate cuts requiring stitches, sore throats, minor burns, sprains, x-rays and urinary tract infections may warrant a visit to an urgent care or same-day care facility.
▪ Most same-day clinics do not offer x-rays while only some urgent care centers do.
