In many cases, during an illness or feeling of discomfort and pain, we tend to rush straight to the emergency room, only to find out that we could’ve spent less time and way less money receiving the same quality of care at an urgent medical care clinic. So what’s the difference? Well let’s delve more into detail as to what is considered “ER worthy,” and when is it appropriate save the trouble of an expensive medical bill and head straight for your local urgent medical care provider.
The Difference Between Urgent Medical Care and Emergency Care
The difference between Urgent Medical Care and Emergency Care is quite easy to understand when you have a better grasp of what is considered urgent and what is considered an emergency. This is where most patients tend can get confused and end up sitting for hours in a waiting room, prolonging their agony.
To sum up, urgent medical care usually deals with illnesses and accidents that are considered non-life threatening but require 24-hour medical attention. This can range anywhere from:
- Fever or flu
- Muscle strains or sprains
- Skin rashes and infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Minor broken bones and fractures
- Immunization and more
These are symptoms that constitute a visit to an urgent medical care facility and are not considered to be emergencies or life threatening. Examples of life-threatening conditions that require a visit to the emergency room include:
- Complications with pregnancy
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Severe burns
- Gunshot wounds
- Major trauma after an accident
- Severe bleeding and more
Emergency rooms and urgent medical care facilities might serve the same purpose but it’s very important to know their key differences and what sets them apart. Other major differences, not relating to an illness, is cost. While you might spend something in the range of $70-$200 to treat an injury in an urgent care clinic, you may spend more than double that going to an emergency room for the same injury.
Understanding these differences is the best way for your doctor or physician to heal what ails you, as quick as possible, without you having to pay a huge bill. A simple visit to your nearest urgent medical care clinic, rather than a congested city hospital, might be your best bet depending on the severity of your illness, not the urgency.
