Such visits are often unnecessary, and Urgent Care can be a much better choice. An ER visit typically involves high costs and long wait-times, so you might be avoiding an unneeded hassle as well.
Should you go to the ER or urgent care first?
Going to the ER when you could go to the urgent care almost always means a hefty medical bill (even with health insurance) and a much longer wait. Keep in mind, the emergency room is for emergencies — think car crashes, heart attacks, strokes, extremely high and persistent fevers, etc.
Is urgent care cheaper than the emergency room?
Urgent care centers generally cost less than emergency rooms. Of course, what you’ll pay will depend on your insurance, but urgent care is often much cheaper.
Do you need after-hours care or urgent care?
You need after-hours care. Both the emergency room (ER), sometimes called the emergency department (ED), at your local hospital and urgent care clinics are equipped to handle medical issues that arise when your usual doctor isn’t available. But it can be difficult to decipher which one is appropriate for your particular situation.
Do urgent care clinics have the best medication options?
Urgent care clinics are well-prepared to handle a wide array of pressing, but not life-threatening, health issues. Nick Angelis, certified registered nurse anesthetist and author, says it’s a myth that ERs have the best medication and treatment options.
How do you know if you should go to the ER or not?
When to Go to a Hospital Emergency RoomHead to the ER or call 911 to have the following symptoms evaluated and treated:Shortness of breath.Chest pain, left arm pain or left jaw pain.Serious burns and cuts (cuts that won't stop bleeding or wounds that won't close)Seizures.More items...•
Is urgent worse than emergency?
The difference between urgent care and emergency rooms is the severity of the health problem. If the condition is life-threatening, go to an emergency room. If the condition is a minor illness or injury, take advantage of the convenience and affordability your local GoHealth Urgent Care has to offer!
Why should you go to ER?
Emergency rooms provide quality care for patients who are experiencing more dangerous conditions, such as trauma, stroke or heart attack, severe bleeding, or dehydration and some types of infection.
What are the best times to go to ER?
The best time to go to the ER, according to 17,428 healthcare professionals. Patients receive the best care in the emergency room between 6 a.m. and noon, according to an exclusive poll of healthcare professionals around the world.
Can you call the ER with a question?
Even if it's after hours, you can call our 24-Hour Help Nurse line and they can answer your questions, assess your symptoms, and help you determine the best next step. We're available 24/7 and ready to help during those moments when you're not sure what to do. If you're in a life-threatening situation, please call 911.
What to say to get seen faster in an emergency room?
"I would start by saying to the triage nurse, 'I know that you are busy, and I need one minute of your time.
Is it better to go to the ER at night or morning?
Least busy hours The best hours to visit an emergency room for far less urgent medical conditions according to a recent study, are between 6 am and noon. During these hours, most hospitals don't have as many patients waiting in line and you are guaranteed to get quality medical care.
What happens when you go to the ER?
The doctor will examine you as soon as possible and order tests as needed. Your tests, such as X-rays, blood analysis or CT scans, will be performed and then evaluated by a specialist. Your ER doctor will review your test results with you and explain next steps in your care.
What is considered a health emergency?
The National Disaster Medical System Federal Partners Memorandum of Agreement defines a public health emergency as "an emergency need for health care [medical] services to respond to a disaster, significant outbreak of an infectious disease, bioterrorist attack or other significant or catastrophic event." In order to ...
How can I get my doctor to take me seriously?
If you feel your primary care doctor doesn't take your symptoms seriously, ask for a referral to a specialist or go to a different practice for a second opinion. A fresh set of eyes can be extremely helpful. Review how to present your symptoms factually, clearly, quickly, and without unnecessary minutiae.
Can you walk out of the emergency room?
Believe it or not, it is possible to walk out. Even call a cab. The patient is in a hospital, not a prison. The staff may ask him to stay, but if they're really overwhelmed and understaffed, they are, more likely than not, simply “covering” themselves in case he has a problem after leaving.
What is the busiest day in the emergency room?
In particular, there are some holidays that many hospitals know to brace for.Memorial Day. Known in some circles as the opening day for trauma season, Memorial Day is the first “summer” holiday in the United States. ... July 4th. ... Labor Day. ... Thanksgiving and Christmas. ... Black Friday. ... New Year's. ... Full Moons. ... Friday the 13ths.More items...
What is urgent care?
Urgent care clinics can help with a broad range of healthcare needs that require same-day care but are not life-threatening. An urgent care clinic will usually offer same-day walk-in care for many of the services a PCP would provide, including treatment for more acute issues. Urgent care clinics often have longer or more flexible hours than most primary care physician practices, with some even open holidays. For added convenience, some urgent care clinics also include X-rays and a wide variety of lab tests on-site. Additionally, an urgent care clinic can often handle stitches, sprains and strains and minor burns. If you need a referral to a specialist, there is also often an option for recommended continued care and follow-up.
What conditions should be treated in an emergency room?
Conditions that should be treated at an emergency room include suspected heart attacks, serious breathing problems, seizures, severe allergic reactions, broken bones, strokes, and deep or seriously bleeding cuts that require significant suturing.
When seeking medical care, what is the top priority?
When seeking medical care, the top priority is getting the most appropriate care as soon as possible. Choosing the right level of care can mean a massive difference in costs. When choosing the right path for you, make sure that you balance urgency with availability and price while getting the care that you need.
Can insurance cover an ER visit?
The cost of services at an emergency room can be unpredictable. Many insurance policies have higher co-pays for ER visits. Additionally, even if your insurance is accepted by the emergency room, it may not be accepted by the ER healthcare providers who treat you. As a result, you might wind up on the hook for bills than can grow to thousands of dollars. If you happen to be visiting an ER for a non-life-threatening situations, consider asking your nurse or physician about the cost of the treatments they are recommending.
Is there a substitute for an emergency room visit?
Because of this, the cost of their services is far higher than the cost of same-day care at an urgent care center. However, in a life threatening emergency, there is no substitute for an emergency room visit no matter the cost.
When should you go to the ER?
In the event you or someone you know is experiencing a medical emergency, going to the ER is imperative. These are the types of things that may need immediate surgery or another type of advanced treatment. Here are some, but not all, the medical issues that require emergency department care:
What is the emergency department called?
You need after-hours care. Both the emergency room (ER), sometimes called the emergency department (ED), at your local hospital and urgent care clinics are equipped to handle medical issues that arise when your usual doctor isn’t available.
Should an ambulance crew be called if anaphylactic shock is involved?
And don’t hesitate to act even more swiftly when it’s necessary. “An ambulance crew can do some of the things that urgent care can, and should always be called if anaphylactic shock or serious breathing problems are involved,” Angelis advises.
Can urgent care replace primary care?
While it’s nice to know after-hours medical treatment is available, those options can’t replace your primary care physician. Maintaining regular doctor visits is important for preventive care and managing any health issues you already have.
Is an urgent care clinic a replacement for an emergency department?
That said, urgent care clinics are not a replacement for emergency departments. They lack some of the equipment ERs simply must have to function effectively.
Why do people go to the emergency room?
Many adults will opt for the emergency room for a minor condition when they or their children or other family members do not have health insurance and need medical attention because ERs cannot turn you away or refuse treatment, regardless of your ability to pay. We understand this logic completely, but, for those without insurance, we offer this guide to help you navigate your coverage options.
Why should emergency rooms be reserved?
Emergency rooms should be reserved for critical conditions or used as a last resort in minor situations if an urgent care isn’t open or located within the area, or you can’t be seen by your primary care physician (it’s the weekend, after-hours, they can’t get you in soon enough, etc.)
What is the emergency room?
Keep in mind, the emergency room is for emergencies — think car crashes, heart attacks, strokes, extremely high and persistent fevers, etc. When you go to the emergency room for a condition that can be handled by an urgent care, you’re going to have to wait until any life-threatening cases are resolved or stabilized first before you’re seen. You would expect the same prioritized treatment if you were facing a life-threatening illness or injury.
What to do if you are experiencing life threatening situations?
If you are experiencing severe, life-threatening situations, it might be necessary to call an ambulance. Paramedics can administer life-saving treatment/stabilization upon arrival and during transit. Ambulances can also ensure that you reach a hospital with haste, and without as much jeopardy to your life or the lives of other drivers on the road. Call 911 when experiencing:
Is an emergency considered life threatening?
Emergencies are classified as life-threatening. Going to the emergency room should be a last resort when an urgent care facility or your primary care provider are not options. Reserve trips to the ER for life-or-limb situations, such as:
Is it a big deal to go to the ER?
You may not think it’s a big deal which one you choose — but it is! Going to the ER when you could go to the urgent care almost always means a hefty medical bill (even with health insurance) and a much longer wait.
Can broken bones be treated at urgent care?
Major broken bones (legs, arms, etc. — to es/fingers can normally be treated at an urgent care)
How to tell if you need to go to the ER?
Remember, the severity of the illness or accident is the best way to tell whether you need to go to Urgent Care or the ER. Minor conditions are best treated at Urgent Care and life-threatening ones require an ER.
When you need immediate care, is it always something you're ready for?
When you need immediate care, it’s never something you’re ready for. Sometimes it’s difficult to know whether the Urgent Care or the Emergency Room is the right place to go. Not only can this choice impact your health, it can impact you financially.
What to do first?
Call your oncologist. Virtually every cancer center has a triage nurse on duty, 24 hrs./day, 7 days/week, even on holidays. These nurses are there to help us decide what to do if we develop a new symptom.
What are some medical emergencies that cancer patients face?
These are some of the more commonly-experienced medical emergencies that we might face related to our cancer and its treatment. The triage nurse will advise you whether to come into their facility or go to the emergency room.
What about pain or nausea?
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that 62% of ER visits by cancer patients were for pain. 31% of cancer patient ER visits were for nausea.
When should we go to urgent care?
There are times when going to an urgent care cancer is the perfect solution for a “minor” medical issue. Situations where urgent care is appropriate include:
The Bottom Line
Always carry the number of your oncologist in your wallet along with a list of your medications. If something happens and you have to go to the emergency room, the ER staff can get in touch with someone on your cancer team to ensure that all bases are covered.
When should you go to the ER?
Many of us tend to downplay symptoms and may even want to avoid “making a fuss” when in fact we need emergency attention. If you are experiencing any of the following situations, do not wait it out. Waiting could cost you—a lost limb, loss of vision, worsening of your condition, increased risk of infection, damage to your brain and any number of reasons to get yourself to an ER right away.
When should you go to urgent care?
Urgent care is an option when you have an immediate need but cannot get in to see your primary care doctor on the same day. Examples of when you might need urgent care include:
Why do people go to the emergency room?
Seizures, broken limbs that break the skin, vomiting or diarrhea that is persistent (won’t stop and lasts for long period of time) are also good reasons to get to an emergency room. ER personnel often say they’d rather people come in and be seen and find out it’s not an emergency rather than not come in and find out they should’ve been in the ER all along.
Does an urgent care center provide blood pressure screenings?
An urgent care center does not provide blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, immunizations, and prescription refills.
Does Main Line Health have emergency rooms?
Main Line Health has emergency rooms at all four of its acute care hospitals:
Can you go to an urgent care center for a sprained wrist?
You can also head to an urgent care center when you’re having an allergic skin reaction or you’ve got a shallow cut that needs more than a Band-Aid. Urgent care centers also help with a sprained wrist or ankle, and can even check for fracture (many have on-site X-ray capabilities).
What is an urgent care clinic?
Typically, Urgent Care clinics are staffed with physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses. Although, some Urgent Care clinics have physicians on staff as well. Urgent Care providers can order basic labs and imaging tests, such as X-rays, to help them provide diagnoses and develop treatment plans. Urgent Care clinics have set hours and an established list of conditions treated. As a result, Urgent Care clinics often are less expensive and have shorter wait times than Emergency Departments.
What is an emergency department?
Emergency Departments are staffed 24/7 with physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses trained in delivering emergency care. The team has quick access to expert providers in advanced specialties such as Cardiology, Neurology and Orthopedics. Emergency Departments also have the imaging and laboratory resources needed to diagnose and deliver care for severe and life-threatening situations.
Is urgent care good for you?
Also, it is a good option if you have illnesses or injuries without other symptoms, or if you do not have other underlying health conditions. For example, an earache can easily be treated in Urgent Care. However, if it is accompanied by ...
Can an earache be treated in urgent care?
For example, an earache can easily be treated in Urgent Care . However, if it is accompanied by a high fever (104 F or higher), or you have a history of cancer or are on immune-suppressing medication, it is important to have it checked out in the Emergency Department.
