{"id":4603,"date":"2022-10-19T13:36:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T13:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pockethealthqa.wpengine.com\/?p=4603"},"modified":"2025-05-12T16:19:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T20:19:19","slug":"urgent-care-vs-er-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pockethealth.com\/patient-resources\/urgent-care-vs-er-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Urgent Care vs. ER: What&#8217;s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>You need fast medical attention, but is it an emergency? Or can urgent care provide you with the treatment you need?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walk into any hospital right now and you\u2019re likely to find an overflowing and under-staffed emergency department. Chances are, a large number of those ER patients don\u2019t require emergency care, but rather could benefit from urgent care. In fact, it\u2019s estimated that between <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3412873\/#:~:text=Retail%20clinics%20and%20urgent%20care,of%20approximately%20%244.4%20billion%20annually.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14% and 27% of all ER visits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could be treated at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aafp.org\/about\/policies\/all\/retail-clinics.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">retail clinics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or urgent care centers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This problem stems from more than just confusion over levels of care needed &#8211; it\u2019s systemic. Many people are without a primary care physician &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fiercehealthcare.com\/practices\/many-americans-don-t-have-a-primary-care-doctor\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">28% and 17% of U.S. men and women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, respectively, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fiercehealthcare.com\/practices\/many-americans-don-t-have-a-primary-care-doctor\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">about 17% of men and 12% of women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Canada. When those patients develop a health issue, their options are limited, so they seek care at walk-in clinics or end up in the ER.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Post COVID-19, the hospital struggles have been a hot topic of discussion, with ER departments across Canada feeling the heat from staff burnout and shortages. In the province of Ontario alone, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/09\/14\/world\/canada\/nurse-shortage-emergency-rooms.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16 ERs have had to temporarily close<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> throughout the summer. Given these limitations, Urgent Care centers have become more essential than ever. But if you\u2019re not experiencing a cardiac event or trauma injury, it can be hard to determine what constitutes emergency versus urgent care. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind for the next time you need immediate medical attention:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Urgent Care<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urgent care clinics offer a middle ground between the ER and primary care providers. Medical issues that aren&#8217;t necessarily emergencies but still require prompt attention would fall under the purview of urgent care. Conditions such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High fevers (Below 103)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mild to moderate difficulty breathing, including mild asthma attacks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cuts that may require stitches\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting or persistent diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dehydration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strains and sprains<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urinary tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe sore throats and coughs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking for more information on what\u2019s treated by urgent care, you can refer to resources like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scripps.org\/news_items\/4231-should-you-go-to-the-emergency-room-or-urgent-care\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scripps Health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/urgent-care-centres\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ontario Ministry of Health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aaucm.org\/what-is-urgent-care-medicine\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (AAUCM). If you\u2019re unsure whether to go to urgent care or an ER, you can call telehealth or consult with virtual medical professionals if available.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>What are the typical tools found at an urgent care clinic?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urgent care centers must adhere to operational standards set by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucaoa.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urgent Care Association<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the AAUCM. Accord to the AAUCM, urgent care facilities should have the following tools:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>X-ray machines<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to diagnose issues with the chest, head, body and extremities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hematology equipment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to take blood samples and assess white and red blood cell counts and platelets<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>ECG\/EKG<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to diagnose heart conditions and other cardiac-related ailments<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Spirometer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to measure lung capacity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hyfrecator<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to remove skin lesions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cryogenics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to freeze off dermatological conditions, such as warts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Microscope<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to examine serum, tools, urine and sputum<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Centrifuge<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to produce lab samples for study<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Audiometer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to test for hearing loss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>IVs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to administer medications<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urgent care centers do not have operating rooms and doctors can\u2019t perform surgery. They don\u2019t have more sophisticated imaging tools like MRI machines or CT scanners. You won\u2019t find on-site pharmacies at urgent care clinics, but doctors can write prescriptions for patients to fill at an off-site pharmacy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Emergency Room<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ER treats life- and limb- threatening conditions. It\u2019s open 24\/7 with physicians, nurses, physician assistants and access to the hospital\u2019s network of specialists and surgeons. But what\u2019s considered a medical emergency? These are some common conditions that would land you in the ER:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chest pain or pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compound fracture (bone that protrudes through the skin)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head injuries<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden, severe headache, or paralysis or weakness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncontrolled bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all emergency rooms are the same. Some hospitals have trauma centers &#8211; designated facilities staffed with health professionals specially trained to triage and treat life-threatening injuries. There are even different types of trauma centers, classified by level numbers:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Level I Trauma Centers<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are regional hospitals with tertiary care facilities central to the trauma system. A Level I Trauma Center is capable of providing total care for every aspect of injury \u2013 from prevention through rehabilitation with immediate, 24-hour access to surgeons and medical specialists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Level II Trauma Centers<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level II Trauma Centers can initiate definitive care for all injured patients and provide 24-hour coverage by general surgeons, and most major medical specialties. For tertiary care, like heart surgery, hemodialysis and microvascular surgery, patients are referred to a Level I Trauma Center.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Level III Trauma Center<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These health centers offer prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care and stabilization for injuries and emergency operations and have 24-hour coverage by emergency medicine physicians and general surgeons. If a patient requires more comprehensive care, they\u2019re referred to Level I and Level II Trauma Centers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Level IV Trauma Centers<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Level IV Trauma Center is a basic emergency department that provides advanced trauma life support (ATLS) for patients referred to higher level trauma centers, as well as evaluation, stabilization, and diagnostics. They have 24-hour laboratory access and a trauma nurse(s) and physicians on the premises.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Level V Trauma Centers<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level V Trauma Centers are basic emergency departments with ATLS protocols. They provide evaluation, stabilization and diagnostic services for patients prior to transfer to higher levels of care. They\u2019re staffed with a trauma nurse(s) and physicians and implement after-hours protocols\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if the facility is not open 24-hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Showing up Prepared<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whichever health facility you choose, the doctor will want a medical history. That means medications, past injuries and lab results could be required in order to properly triage and diagnose. But when medical imaging isn\u2019t easily accessible, it creates more work for providers and can slow down your care. You\u2019re more likely to need repeat imaging or scramble to get your records sent from the original provider.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having all your imaging readily accessible in one place keeps you prepared for the unexpected, it\u2019s why PocketHealth gives patients the freedom to access, store and share their imaging from anywhere at any time. Since it\u2019s a no-network platform, it allows you to send your imaging to any healthcare provider &#8211; even when you\u2019re traveling or require care from a trauma center many miles away. No one plans to have a medical emergency, but it\u2019s possible to plan how you\u2019ll handle it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>___<\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be ready and prepared the next time you need urgent care by having 24\/7 access to your medical images, records and reports <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pocket.health\/en-US\/requestrecords?mtm_campaign=Patientblog&amp;mtm_kwd=urgentcare-vs-er&amp;mtm_source=PHwebsite\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You need fast medical attention, but is it an emergency? Or can urgent care provide you with the treatment you need? Walk into any hospital right now and you\u2019re likely to find an overflowing and under-staffed emergency department. Chances are, a large number of those ER patients don\u2019t require emergency care, but rather could benefit [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":4604,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[329,337],"tags":[22,17],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-4603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-conditions","category-patient-advocacy","tag-knowledge-is-power","tag-pockethealth"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Urgent Care vs. ER: What&#039;s the Difference? | PocketHealth<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is the difference between urgent care and the emergency room? 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