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In this day and age, there is a doctor’s office, urgent care, rapid care, ER, and many other iterations on every corner in Alabama. While this is a great “problem” to have, this can quickly cause a high level of stress and confusion, especially in the event of an emergency. That’s why to save you time, money, and ensure you receive the appropriate level of care, it’s essential to understand the differences between urgent care and the emergency room. Here is a breakdown of when you should visit the emergency room vs. urgent care from the team at Mills Urgent Care in Auburn, Alabama. 

Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room: Understanding the Basics

When it comes down to it, urgent care facilities are designed to treat non-life-threatening conditions that require prompt attention but aren’t severe enough for the emergency room. Common condition typically include minor cuts, mild fevers, sprains, and other similar health issues. Often, urgent care is more affordable and quicker than the ER for these reasons. 

On the other hand, due to the advanced equipment and specialized staff, emergency rooms are equipped to handle life-threatening conditions and severe injuries. This could include chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, and more. 

When to Visit Urgent Care

While we provided a brief breakdown of why to visit urgent care over the ER above, it is essential to understand these in a bit more detail. So, here are some common scenarios when visiting urgent care is appropriate:

  1. Minor Injuries: For issues like sprains, strains, minor fractures, or shallow cuts that may require stitches, urgent care can provide necessary treatment without the long wait times of an ER.
  2. Illnesses: Conditions like the flu, strep throat, ear infections, sinus infections, and mild fevers can be efficiently managed at urgent care centers. Urgent care facilities can also offer flu shots and other vaccinations.
  3. Skin Conditions: Rashes, minor burns, insect bites, and allergic reactions that are not severe (no difficulty breathing or swelling) can be treated at urgent care.
  4. Cold and Allergy Symptoms: If you’re experiencing persistent cold symptoms, mild asthma, or seasonal allergies, urgent care is equipped to help with diagnosis and treatment.
  5. Mild COVID-19 Symptoms: Urgent care can handle testing and treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms, helping to reduce the strain on hospital ERs.

When to Head to the ER

The ER should be your destination if you’re facing a life-threatening emergency or severe health issue. Go to the ER if you experience any of the following:

  1. Chest Pain or Stroke Symptoms: Sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, numbness, or slurred speech are red flags that require immediate ER attention.
  2. Severe Bleeding or Trauma: Injuries from car accidents, deep cuts, or any trauma resulting in significant bleeding should be treated at the ER.
  3. Severe Abdominal Pain: Unexplained, intense abdominal pain could indicate a serious condition like appendicitis or gallbladder issues and warrants an ER visit.
  4. Severe Allergic Reactions: If you’re having trouble breathing, experiencing swelling of the lips or face, or other severe allergic reactions, go to the ER immediately.
  5. High Fever with Rash or Stiff Neck: These symptoms could indicate a serious infection such as meningitis and need emergency medical evaluation.

Making the Right Choice with Mills Urgent Care

Ultimately, knowing when to visit the ER vs. an urgent care facility can make a significant difference in your healthcare journey. With that being said, if you’re looking for an experienced staff, helpful tips, and treatment for any of the symptoms mentioned above, look no further than the experts at Mills Urgent Care in Auburn. 

Contact us today for more information about Mills Urgent Care’s urgent care services, or give us a call. We offer walk-in appointments as well as same-day appointments that can be scheduled online!