Compare Urgent Care, The Emergency Room, And The Doctor

Some people do not see a need for an urgent care facility since they have a primary care doctor, as well as access to a nearby emergency room. However, there are plenty of reasons to use this kind of option instead of a regular physician or ER. Consider some of the main differences between an ER, physician, and urgent care so that you can decide which one to go to when you have a medical issue.

The hospital emergency room is where you should go if you have a life-threatening situation that might call for a stay in the hospital. For example, if you have a head injury, serious illness, or difficulty breathing, you should head to the ER right away. This is because your doctor might not be able to help since they may not have the necessary equipment or knowledge to diagnose and treat you fast enough to prevent lasting consequences. If you are admitted to the hospital after your visit to the ER, you know you made the right choice of where to go for treatment.

Unfortunately, many people go to the emergency room for issues that could be treated by their primary care physician, but the injury occurs after office hours. This is why an urgent care facility is usually needed, since they are usually open later and on weekends. This option is good if you have a bug bite that is possibly poisonous or even just painful, as well as a broken bone, migraine, or any other conditions that you do not want to wait to get treated. An urgent care center can usually give you x-rays and full exams to diagnose you, followed by antibiotics, pain medication, or a cast if necessary during treatment. If you are in too much pain or discomfort to sleep through the night or get through work, and your physician’s office is closed or has no available appointments, choose this option.

On the other hand, some conditions do not need any type of fast treatment, which means that you can wait a few days to see your doctor. For example, if you want relief for a mild cold or cough, or want to get the flu shot, you are better off making an appointment with your physician. This prevents you from having to wait hours in a waiting area, next to people who are either ill or in extreme pain. Plus, you will help put a stop to unacceptably long waits for treatment of those who are really seriously sick or dying. In addition, it is often best to see your regular doctor anyway since they know your history, which means that you should only see a new practitioner when you absolutely need to.

Any time you experience a medical condition and are not sure where to go, think about the main differences between your options. If it is the middle of the day and it is not a life-threatening situation, call your doctor to schedule an appointment. If it is past office hours and you need fast help, check out an urgent care center near you. If; however, the situation is serious, head to the ER for help.