Urgent Care Versus The ER: What You Need To Know

Every year, millions of Americans go to a hospital emergency room (ER) for non-emergencies like colds, minor sprains, and infections that could have been handled by visiting an urgent care facility. Let’s talk about when it’s appropriate to go to urgent care versus when you should head to the ER.

Asma Khan, MD, Medical Director, Sun River Health Urgent Care — Asma Khan, MD, Medical Director, Sun River Health Urgent Care
Photo Credit: *Sun River Health*

by Asma Khan, MD Medical Director

Content Partner: Sun River Health

When should I go to urgent care?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, head to Sun River Health Urgent Care or another convenient urgent care facility:

Cold and flu symptoms
Strains and sprains
Respiratory infections
Earache
Eye and skin infections
Insect bites and rashes
Migraines
Minor cuts and wounds
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Pregnancy tests

When should I go to the ER?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room:

Chest pain
Head injury
Broken bones
Poison ingestion
Trouble breathing
Severe asthma attack
Severe abdominal pain
Burns or electric shock
Uncontrollable bleeding
Bleeding during pregnancy
Coughing or vomiting blood

Urgent Care vs the ER: What you need to know

If you are having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. But when it’s not an emergency, skip the ER wait.

Sun River Health Urgent Care offers excellent health care no matter what kind of insurance you have or what you can afford. Just walk in, including evenings and Saturdays. Our excellent urgent care team can also connect you with our primary care services for future care.

For more information on Sun River Health Urgent Care, or to find a location near you, visit sunriver.org/urgent-care/.