There is much to consider when considering emergency vs non-emergency care. While many times it seems appropriate to rush to the emergency room because of an illness, pain, sprain, or broken bone, it is also important to know the health problems that the emergency room will consider a priority.
Remember that 24 Hour Urgent Care is Always Nearby
Most all communities have urgent care centers available 24 hours a day, located every few miles or so. So, for things like the pestering late-night cough, sinus infection, allergy problem, horrible stomach ache, or other issues that may not be considered life-threatening by the emergency room staff, the walk in clinic is close by. With almost 8,000 urgent care centers located in the United States, there is much to expect from the walk-in urgent care that can be offered. We all know that the need for immediate care is personal, and we all believe that the problem faced at any one time deserves immediate emergency care. However, there is a different standard held up by the emergency room of a hospital.
When Would the Emergency Room See A Patient Immediately?
The important thing to think of when defining an emergency as it is considered in a hospital is the term “life-threatening.” When something like a heart attack, stroke, fatal injury or bleeding, suicidal symptoms, or other serious health issues that place a patient’s life under an immediate threat, they will be treated first in the emergency room. That is how you can answer the question of your condition being an emergency vs non-emergency. You feel that your emergency is in need of immediate care, and that is why the immediate care can be obtained at an urgent care location with very qualified and experienced medical professionals. This way, any potential for something like a breathing problem, serious pain, broken bone, or other problem, can at least get immediate treatment, referral to a specialist as needed, or even forwarded to the emergency room if it is the case that hospital care is needed right away.
Answers to the Emergency vs Non-Emergency Question
There are things to consider when facing a true emergency, or at least one that would be treated right away in the ER. Some basic symptoms or conditions that can be considered before rushing into the emergency room are as follows:
- Chest Pain
- Loss of Consciousness
- Extreme Shortness of Breath
- Severe Cuts and Blood Loss
While those may be serious symptoms, others that can be taken to urgent care to still gain immediate treatment may include:
- Flu treatment
- Fevers
- Headaches
- Stomach pain
- Sore throats
- Minor burns or back pain
- Trouble sleeping
With all of this considered the decision of emergency vs non-emergency should be conclusive. Many times the urgent care facility is much closer to home, and the importance of saving wait time offers much better treatment and long-term care for any health issue.
