When you’re suddenly not feeling well, deciding whether to go to the emergency room (ER) or an urgent care clinic like Valley Health QuickCare can be tough. Both offer medical attention, but they cater to different needs. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose the right care:
1. Severity of Your Condition
ER: Go to the ER for life-threatening emergencies like chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, or major head injuries. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you’re unsure.
QuickCare: QuickCare is suitable for non-emergency illnesses and injuries that require prompt attention but aren’t life-threatening. Examples include fevers, sprains, minor cuts, rashes, and urinary tract infections. QuickCare can evaluate you quickly and if you need emergency care, they will send you to the ER.
ER: Go to the ER for life-threatening emergencies like chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, or major head injuries. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you’re unsure.
QuickCare: QuickCare is suitable for non-emergency illnesses and injuries that require prompt attention but aren’t life-threatening. Examples include fevers, sprains, minor cuts, rashes, and urinary tract infections. QuickCare can evaluate you quickly and if you need emergency care, they will send you to the ER.
2. Wait Times
ER: Be prepared for longer wait times in the ER, especially during peak hours. This is because they prioritize critically ill patients.
QuickCare: Wait times at QuickCare are typically shorter than at the ER. This can be a major advantage if you’re feeling unwell but not in immediate danger.
ER: Be prepared for longer wait times in the ER, especially during peak hours. This is because they prioritize critically ill patients.
QuickCare: Wait times at QuickCare are typically shorter than at the ER. This can be a major advantage if you’re feeling unwell but not in immediate danger.
3. Cost
ER: ER visits are generally more expensive than QuickCare due to the level of care provided and resources used.
QuickCare: QuickCare is often a more cost-effective option for non-emergency care. Many insurance plans cover urgent care visits with lower co-pays than ER visits.
ER: ER visits are generally more expensive than QuickCare due to the level of care provided and resources used.
QuickCare: QuickCare is often a more cost-effective option for non-emergency care. Many insurance plans cover urgent care visits with lower co-pays than ER visits.
4. Availability of Services
ER: The ER is equipped to handle a wide range of medical emergencies, including surgery and advanced diagnostics.
QuickCare: QuickCare offers basic on-site services like X-rays, lab tests, and stitches. They may refer you to the ER or your primary care physician for more specialized care if needed.
ER: The ER is equipped to handle a wide range of medical emergencies, including surgery and advanced diagnostics.
QuickCare: QuickCare offers basic on-site services like X-rays, lab tests, and stitches. They may refer you to the ER or your primary care physician for more specialized care if needed.
5. Your Overall Health
ER: If you have underlying health conditions like heart disease, COPD, or diabetes, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and go to the ER if you’re concerned about your health.
QuickCare: If you’re generally healthy and experiencing a minor illness or injury, QuickCare can provide prompt and effective treatment.
ER: If you have underlying health conditions like heart disease, COPD, or diabetes, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and go to the ER if you’re concerned about your health.
QuickCare: If you’re generally healthy and experiencing a minor illness or injury, QuickCare can provide prompt and effective treatment.
In a Nutshell:
Choose the ER for: Life-threatening emergencies, severe pain, difficulty breathing, major injuries.
Choose Valley Health QuickCare for: Non-emergency illnesses and injuries that require prompt attention, like fevers, sprains, minor cuts, rashes, and urinary tract infections.
If you need a breathing treatment, you can get it at QuickCare. Plus, if you need prescriptions for antibiotics or other medicines, there is a pharmacy on-site at Valley Health QuickCare. It’s a one-stop-shop for your minor health emergency.
Choose the ER for: Life-threatening emergencies, severe pain, difficulty breathing, major injuries.
Choose Valley Health QuickCare for: Non-emergency illnesses and injuries that require prompt attention, like fevers, sprains, minor cuts, rashes, and urinary tract infections.
If you need a breathing treatment, you can get it at QuickCare. Plus, if you need prescriptions for antibiotics or other medicines, there is a pharmacy on-site at Valley Health QuickCare. It’s a one-stop-shop for your minor health emergency.
