All You Wanted To Know About Urgent Care Vs. Emergency Rooms
When you require immediate medical care, it can be frustrating to even consider waiting in an emergency room. Family doctors are not always available when treatment is needed due to being overbooked or limited office hour availability. Thankfully, urgent care walk-in clinics exist. Here is a breakdown to explain when you should choose urgent care versus visiting the emergency room.
When to Visit an Urgent Care Vs. the E. R
The reason ER rooms tend to have such a long wait is primarily due to people using them for non-emergencies. If a patient needs healthcare for a condition that is not life-threatening, a walk-in clinic is likely a better choice. These medical needs could be any of the following.
● Cold or flu symptoms
● Sinus pain
● Coughing, sore throat, or respiratory problems
● Minor burns, bruises, scrapes, or lacerations
● Fractures
● Asthma
● Abdominal pain
● Pediatric illness
● Allergies, rashes, or hives
● Stings and bites
● Headaches
● Fevers
● Work-related injury
● Foreign objects in the nose or eye, etc.
When to Use the ER
Emergency room visits should be kept for medical emergencies that walk-in clinics do not cover. These are unexpected, sudden conditions that threaten the life or health of the patient. Call 9-1-1 or seek medical attention immediately for any of the following:
● Physical or sexual assault
● Pregnancy complications after 20 weeks, such as bleeding, labor, or decreased movement
● Inhalation of smoke or chemicals
● Loss of limbs or deep wounds
● Severe head injury
● Sudden confusion, dizziness, loss of ability to speak, numbness, or weakness
● Major burns
● Poisoning, suicidal behavior, or overdose
● Vomiting blood, etc.
Know When to Go
You could save a considerable amount of resources by making use of Urgent Care clinics rather than emergency rooms. An emergency room wait can take hours, while you could be seen within 5-15 minutes at an urgent care facility. Not only will you save up space in the emergency waiting area, but you will receive personal care promptly. Urgent care provides x-rays, medication distribution and prescription, and lab work.
Extended hours make walk-in clinics a convenient alternative to the emergency room. Also, urgent care is affordable, and these clinics accept most insurance policies. For urgent and everyday healthcare needs, avoid the emergency room and choose the Urgent Care clinics instead. You will spare yourself a lot of discomfort, stress, & frustration by knowing the difference between a medical emergency and a health condition.
We provide comprehensive urgent care for the entire family at West Point Medical Center, the finest Urgent Care Fontana. Our physicians & staff are equipped to care for patients of all ages, from children to adults to the elderly. They serve as a bridge between the emergency room & your regular care physician. Our locations in Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and San Bernardino, California, will take your convenience to the next level. For further information, please visit www.westpointmedicalcenter.com or contact (909) 355-1296.
https://www.westpointmedicalcenter.com/urgent-care-fontana/
