Discover the difference between urgent and emergency care.
Let’s say you wake up with an ache in your stomach. Could it be the spicy food you had for dinner? Or is it something more? Maybe it’s the early signs of a stomach bug, or even appendicitis?
Or maybe you are baking cookies and accidentally grab onto the pan that just came out of the oven — with your bare hand. It’s red, hurts, and is starting to swell, but is it going to need more care than cool water and a bandage?
What if your child is playing baseball on a Saturday afternoon. He heads for Homeplate at full speed and slides into home. He’s safe (whew!) but is having trouble standing. His ankle is already puffing up and he can’t put any pressure on it. Is it just a sprain, or worse?
Life is full of moments like this, and of course, they never seem to happen when your primary care provider is available. When you need care, it’s important to know you have options. Should you go to the emergency room or a nearby urgent care center? The right place to go for care depends on your condition and the level of care you need.
If you have a life-threatening situation, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. If it’s not an emergency, comparing care options could help you save time, money and frustration.
