Emergency vs. Urgent Care: Where should I go?
November 2, 2020
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Do you know when best to visit your primary care provider, urgent care location or emergency department? It can seem like they will all do the same thing, but choosing the right location will help provide you better understanding of your health care needs.
When to visit your doctor's office
Visit your primary care provider for care and treatment of non-urgent issues. Your doctor is your partner in good health and is most familiar with your medical history. Your primary care provider gives routine care and treatment when it is not an emergency.
"Call your provider’s office first, and we can do a telehealth visit with you to determine if you need to come in for testing or if your symptoms can be assessed right from where you are," says Jennifer Olson, DO, CPE, President for the MercyOne Medical Group.
Visit your doctor's office for:
- Routine well visits
- Preventive care
- Immunizations or shots
- Diabetes
- Rashes
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Sprains and strains
- High blood pressure
- Tooth pain
- Sore throat
- Pink eye
- Lower back pain
- Animal or insect bite
- Urinary tract infection
- Pelvic wellness
- Ear pain
MercyOne Primary Care location near you
When to visit urgent care
Urgent care can treat any health concern you need to be seen immediately for, but is not life-threatening. Urgent care has evening and weekend hours when your primary care provider may not be available.
- Sprains and strains
- Stitches
- Rashes
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Tooth pain
- Sore throat
- Pink eye
- Lower back pain
- Animal or insect bite
- Urinary tract infection
- Ear pain
In some cases, you don't even have to leave your home for an urgent care visit. Many MercyOne urgent care locations now offer telehealth visits, using confidential videoconferencing technology from your smart phone, tablet or computer.
MercyOne Urgent Care locations
When to visit an emergency department
Serious injuries or severe illness that may require hospitalization should be directed to your local emergency department. For any life-threatening emergency, call 911.
- Allergic reactions
- Babies needing immediate care
- Chest pain
- Severe burns
- Seizures
- Serious eye or head injuries
- Stroke symptoms
- Severe abdominal pain
- Broken bones
- Rapid bleeding
- Heart attack symptoms
- High fevers
- Breathing problems
- Drug overdose or poisoning
- Bad falls (for older adults)
MercyOne Emergency Care locations
