Urgent Care vs Emergency

More than half of visits to the emergency room are for non-emergencies. How do you know when to choose an urgent care clinic or emergency room? This guide can help.

Conditions usually see in an Urgent Care Clinic:

• Allergic reaction
• Asthma
• Cough, cold or congestion
• Croup
• Ear pain
• Fever in infants older than 6 months
• Flu
• Minor burn
• Minor injury from fall or sport
• Rash
• Simple laceration
• Skin infection
• Sore throat
• Sprain and strain
• Urinary tract infection
• Vomiting and diarrhea

Conditions usually see in an Emergency Room:

• Broken bones (with deformity)
• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Extensive or complicated cut or laceration
• Fainting or head injury with loss of consciousness or disorientation
• Fever in infants younger than 6 months
• Loss or change of vision
• Procedure requiring a CT scan or sedation
• Seizure
• Serious burn
• Snake bite
• Spinal injury
• Sudden change in mental state
• Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Vomiting or coughing up blood
• Motor Vehicle Accident