When you have a medical emergency or suspect that something is not right, it can be critical that you make the right decision, so that you get the right care and attention without delay. Sometimes, it can be very hard to work out whether you should take yourself to the nearest ER or opt for urgent care instead. Understanding the key differences between emergency and non-emergency care is of vital importance. Time is not always on your side when you have something wrong with you and can’t pinpoint what the source of the problem is. That’s why it is essential to know how to choose between these two medical assistance options.
Medical service providers like Integris Health can prove pivotal in guiding you towards the right treatment options, and you can even schedule a virtual visit from a doctor, when using a service like this. With this in mind, how can you determine whether you should go to the emergency room, or seek urgent care?
Here are some key pointers to help you choose the right option when you need some form of medical assistance and treatment.
What are your available options?
A good place to start would be to have an understanding of the fundamental differences between ER, urgent care, and a walk-in facility.
It can be a bit confusing, as both ER and urgent care carry a descriptive term that suggests you have an imperative medical situation that is “urgent”.
An obvious distinction is that an emergency room exists to provide 24/7 medical care. Urgent care centers, and walk-in facilities may have limited opening hours. They also might not have the staff and facilities that an ER department provides. That’s why, if you have an obvious medical emergency, such as a heart attack, or a broken limb following an accident, the default option should always be a visit to your nearest ER.
The fundamental purpose of an urgent care or walk-in center is to provide a backup service when you feel sick or have a minor injury, and you don’t consider it necessary to go to an ER, or your usual doctor is not available to see you.
The bottom line is that when you are facing a life-threatening scenario, ER is likely to be the best option. If you are suddenly taken ill and your condition seems serious, or you are deteriorating, it would be wise to consider calling 911, if you can’t drive yourself to an emergency room.
What sort of symptoms warrant a visit to the ER?
There are numerous medical conditions and emergency scenarios that usually require urgent and rapid attention. Let’s look at some of the typical conditions and situations that warrant an immediate trip to the ER.
If you are having constant chest pain and experiencing difficulty breathing, you could be suffering a cardiac arrest. This needs to be checked and treated urgently.
Other symptoms such as slurred speech, notable weakness or numbness on one side of your body, or fainting without an obvious explanation, are also classic examples of when you are best evaluated in an emergency room.
Broken bones, severe cuts or lacerations, and any injury that has caused you to suffer concussion, are also examples of where ER should be your first port of call.
Obviously, you are not a doctor, so it can sometimes be hard to judge the severity of your situation, especially if you have something going on internally that is not producing any obvious physical symptoms.
A good overall guide to help you decide your best option would be to trust your instincts. Many of us tend to instinctively know when something is wrong and it could be serious. It is always best to be cautious and get yourself checked out, rather than dismissing your symptoms or waiting it out, to see if your condition improves
When should you call 911/999?
It is perfectly understandable that you might be anxious about calling 911/999, if you suspect it might not be warranted.
However, if you are suffering from chest pains, for instance, you are better calling 911 than trying to drive to the ER, as you are at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke on the way.
Calling 911 is always the right thing to do in an obvious medical emergency. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Getting an ambulance to you will enable you to get potentially life-saving treatment quickly. Paramedics will be able to continue your treatment on the way to the hospital.
When should you go to urgent care instead?
It is important to remember that urgent care is not the same as emergency care. In general terms, the primary purpose of an urgent care center is to provide medical assistance on a same-day basis, mainly for minor injuries and illnesses. You should consider going to urgent care when you have a medical problem that is not considered to be an emergency, but is still serious enough to warrant prompt attention.
You will find that many urgent care facilities have a good standard of equipment and diagnostic services at their disposal. This means they may well be able to provide you with an accurate assessment of your symptoms. If these are deemed to be severe, or even life-threatening, you may even be referred for hospital treatment and admission.
Although you can’t expect an urgent care center to provide everything you might get when seeing a primary care physician, it is still a fantastic resource that is well worth considering when evaluating your options.
Knowing which option to choose when you have a medical problem can give you greater confidence in your ability to get the level of treatment you need to safely and effectively tackle your symptoms and ailments.
It will also help if you compile a list of current medications you are taking and a brief overview of any part of your medical history that could be relevant when seeking treatment.
Having access to the right medical support can make all the difference to the outcome. This overview should make it easier to decide whether you should go to an ER or urgent care center.
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