Nobody likes going to the emergency room. It is loud, crowded and the wait is always painfully long. More and more, hospitals are employing the use of urgent cares to take some of the burden from Emergency Rooms. If you need to see a doctor immediately, without the luxury of an appointment, consider going to the urgent care for the following scenarios.
1 Broken bones
If you break a small bone in your hand, or even if you break your arm, you should head to an urgent care clinic. The only difference will be is if the patient is in shock or if it seems the broken bone has caused internal damage. The urgent care should be able to fix simple broken bones though.
2 High temperature
Fevers are a good time to go to the urgent care. You can receive diagnosis and treatment for your symptoms much faster than at the emergency room. The urgent care is usually more comfortable than an emergency room when you don't feel good as well.
3 Dizzy
Dizziness is often the result of low blood sugar or ear infection. With a quick checkup, you can get in and out without spending your entire day or night in the hospital.
4 Typical cold or flu
If a cold or flu has lasted more than a few days to a week, it may be worth checking out. It may have developed into a sinus infection or other secondary ailment that can be treated with antibiotics. The urgent care is a perfect place for this issue.
5 Stitches
Urgent care is equipped to handle stitches. If you have a cut that won't stop bleeding, or a cut that has stopped bleeding, but may need stitches, the urgent care is the place for you. The sooner the wound is mended, the less of a scar it will have so the urgent care will probably provide better care for you as well.
6 Vomiting
If you throw up all night or day, you need to visit a doctor. Unless accompanied by other symptoms, you do not need to go to the ER for vomiting. With a short drive to an urgent care clinic, you can visit a doctor who can help you with your vomiting.
With these six examples, you will know when to head to the ER and when you can save some time and energy at the urgent care.
Information credited to Clovis Urgent Care Medical Surgeons