Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room: Know Where to Go for Care
Find the Right Care at the Right Time
When you need medical care, you have a variety of options for seeking treatment from a
provider. The best option can depend on the symptoms you’re experiencing and how
quickly you need care. Knowing where to go can help you get the best care for your
needs, while saving you time and money.
Urgent or Walk-In Clinic
Urgent care or walk-in clinics or scheduling a video visit can help fill a vital gap when you become sick or injured, your regular doctor is not available and you can't wait for an appointment.
Examples include:
- Body aches
- Chest congestion
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Earache
- Fever below 104 degrees
- Headaches and migraines
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sore throat
- Strains and sprains
- Toothache
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Emergency Room (ER)
Certain medical conditions are considered emergencies because they require rapid or advanced treatments including surgery or care for life and limb-threatening situations.
Examples include:
- Allergic reactions
- Broken bones
- Chest pain
- Deep wounds
- Difficulty speaking
- Fever above 104 degrees
- Head trauma
- Heat illness
- Heavy bleeding
- Overdose
- Seizure or numbness
- Sever abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
Did you know?
Many people use the ER as a place to receive care after hours for minor illnesses or injuries without realizing they have another option. Urgent care clinics and video visits include:
- Extended hours: Urgent care clinics are usually open seven days a week and have extended evening hours. Video visits are offered 24/7 365 days a year. Learn more about video visits here.
- Shorter wait times: Most urgent care clinics and video visits have shorter wait times and can see you faster than the ER for minor conditions.
- Cost-efficiency: Urgent care visits and video visits usually cost a fraction of what emergency room visits do.
Still unsure of where to go? Call My Sanford Nurse
Available 24/7, call My Sanford Nurse to have an experienced nurse assess your symptoms and tell you to visit either a clinic or the ER.
Call (877) 473-1215