When Do You Actually Need to Go to the Emergency Room?
October 03, 2024
When an injury happens, the next step isn’t always clear. But knowing when to visit the emergency room (ER) versus urgent care can be crucial for both your health and your wallet. Generally, the decision on which to visit depends on the severity of your condition, the time sensitivity of the treatment required and the services available at each facility.
The emergency room is equipped to handle life-threatening conditions and serious injuries. ERs are open 24/7 and have a wide range of diagnostic tools, specialists and lifesaving equipment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 136 million patients visit emergency rooms in the United States per year, with around 30% of those visits due to injuries.
Hackensack Meridian Health’s urgent care centers, however, are designed to handle non-life-threatening conditions that still require prompt attention. Our facilities are open during extended hours, including nights, weekends and holidays, and can handle issues like minor fractures, sprains, mild asthma attacks and cuts requiring stitches. Urgent care centers can provide quick and efficient treatment for many medical concerns without the long wait times and higher costs associated with the ER.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Go to the ER if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Severe abdominal pain that could signal a serious internal issue
- Stroke symptoms, such as sudden numbness, weakness, confusion, trouble speaking or loss of coordination
- Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Head injuries or trauma, especially with loss of consciousness
- Severe burns or deep wounds
- Severe allergic reactions with swelling or difficulty breathing
The American College of Emergency Physicians says that if you suspect a life-threatening condition, you should call 911 or go to the nearest ER immediately.
When to Go to Urgent Care
Consider visiting an urgent care for:
- Ankle, wrist, hand or finger injuries or sprains
- Mild to moderate cuts that may require stitches but are not life-threatening
- Flu or cold symptoms, such as fever, cough or sore throat
- Asthma attacks that do not require immediate emergency intervention
- Urinary tract infections or minor abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
- Rashes or mild allergic reactions without severe swelling or difficulty breathing.
- Minor burns or skin infections
Urgent care can be a more cost-effective option for these less severe conditions because urgent care visits typically have lower out-of-pocket copays versus going to the ER.
Hackensack Meridian Urgent Care PLUS
In addition to its 14 urgent care centers throughout New Jersey, Hackensack Meridian Health also has three Urgent Care PLUS locations that offer expanded capabilities to treat higher acuity patients of all ages, as well as the same range of services you would expect from traditional urgent care. The advanced diagnostics available at these locations include:
- CT
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- On-site labs
- EKG
Making the Right Decision
Making the right call on where to go for care might be tricky, but if you’re unsure whether your situation is an emergency, it’s better to err on the side of caution and head to the ER. In less severe cases, urgent care can provide the appropriate treatment more quickly and at a lower cost. By understanding the differences between the ER and urgent care, you can make more informed decisions about your health and avoid unnecessary expenses. Either way, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek help if you’re in doubt about the severity of your condition.
Next Steps & Resources:
- Find a Hackensack Meridian Urgent Care or Urgent Care PLUS location near you.
- To make an appointment with a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
- Learn more about Hackensack Meridian Urgent Care PLUS locations.
- Find your nearest Emergency Department and current wait time.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
