Emergency Care? Urgent Care? What's The Difference?

Thankfully, most of us don’t have to think about our medical care ALL the time.

And we certainly don’t need to have those “get-help-right-away” situations on the top of our minds ALL the time.

But accidents happen…

You get sick sometimes…

And the truth is, we’re not at our best ALL the time.

When disasters strike or illnesses befall us, we can get very far away from our best physical condition, and sometimes very quickly.

For a variety of reasons, there are times when all of us need medical help, and need it in a hurry.

And at those times, it’s very helpful if you know the difference betwee
Emergency Care and Urgent Care.

Knowing where to seek the help you need (especially when you might not be at your mental best, either) can save you time… it can save you money… and it could actually save you.
It’s About Life And Limb…

If a disaster strikes that threatens your life or your limb(s), it’s time to go to the Emergency Room.

Right now.

Suppose a family member ingests a substance you think might be (or definitely is) poisonous.

Get to the E.R. Right now.

If you experience the signs of a heart attack, such as sudden chest pain, get to the E.R.

Do you know the early warning signs of a stroke? Face drooping… sudden numbness in the limbs… slurred speech? If you experience these symptoms, or see someone who does, get to the Emergency Room right away… because time is of the essence. The longer the delay in treatment, the more “brain loss” happens!

So that’s the short answer: if the problem threatens life or limb, get to the Emergency Room. Right now.

Other examples of Emergency Care needs include severe wounds (even amputations), severe shortness of breath, vomiting or coughing-up blood, and thoughts of harming yourself or others.

The time to know when you’d need Emergency Care is before you need it.

… And It’s About Time And Money

But it’s also helpful to know in advance which problems might suddenly arise which don’t need Emergency Care.

Those are the problems Urgent Care can handle.

And if you take those complaints to the E.R., instead of to your local Urgent Care professionals, chances are you’ll wait much longer for treatment.

And you’ll pay more for it.

Typically, a lot more.

For example, suppose you take a spill, and injure an ankle or an arm… but the injury doesn’t threaten to cost you a body part.

Go to Urgent Care.

ASAP.

If you get the symptoms of acute bronchitis, or your bad allergies start acting up, it’s time to get to Urgent Care. ASAP.

If you go instead to the Emergency Room with these ailments, you’re likely going to wait as long as four hours to be seen (and maybe longer).

After all, the E.R. pros have to deal with those life- and limb-threatening problems first. That’s what they’re there for.

And the Emergency Room charges for these ailments are usually at least twice what you’d pay with Urgent Care… and often much more!

So if you need help in a hurry… but not for something life- or limb-threatening, head for your local Urgent Care practice.

Other examples of complaints for which Urgent Care is the perfect choice include infections (like upper-respiratory or urinary tract infections), ear aches, sore throats, pink eye, and sinusitis.

Knowing The Difference Can Save You

Unless you really want to spend more time and money than you have to, don’t take those “urgent” problems to the Emergency Room!

A good Urgent Care practice will have doctors and nurses available at convenient times who can efficiently handle a variety of problems you used to have to take to the E.R. The best Urgent Care practices have laboratory, X-ray, and EKG equipment on hand, too.

Some problems are too urgent to wait for a regular appointment with your physician, but aren’t really “emergencies” in the life- or limb-threatening sense.

For those problems, call your local Urgent Care practice and make an “urgent” appointment!

A professional local Urgent Care practice can really save you. If you need to save a life or a limb, go to the Emergency Room, right now. But if you need to save time and money to recover from things that are “emergent” without being “emergencies,” Urgent Care is your best choice.

urgent care source:
https://www.foundersfamilymedicine.com/urgent-care-castle-rock/
pediatric source:
https://www.foundersfamilymedicine.com/pediatric-care-castle-rock/