ER vs UC

When to Go to a Hospital Emergency Room

• Head to the ER or call 911 to have the following symptoms evaluated and treated:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain, left arm pain, or left jaw pain
• Severe burns and cuts (cuts that won’t stop bleeding or wounds that won’t close)
• Seizures
• Severe allergic reaction (swelling lips, difficulty swallowing or breathing)
• Stroke symptoms, including slurred speech or sudden numbness/weakness in any area of your body, facial droop, loss of balance or vision
• A change in mental status (such as confusion)
• Loss of consciousness (if you pass out)
• Multiple injuries or a possible broken bone in areas like the ribs, skull, face, or pelvis
• If you’re pregnant and have vaginal bleeding or pelvic/abdominal pain

When to Go to an Urgent Care Clinic

• An urgent care specialist can evaluate and treat:
• Fevers and colds
• Vomiting and nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Strains or simple bone breaks (when the body part isn’t “pointed” in the wrong direction or — in the case of suspected broken ankles or knees — you can still walk on the injured leg with some discomfort)a
• Minor cuts
• Mild asthma attacks
• Pain with urination