When you get sick and need to be seen quickly, you have a choice to make: do you go to urgent care or the emergency room? It’s important to know the difference between the two and when you should use one versus the other. And if you’re in West Haven, CT, you’ll also want to know where to go if you do have a health emergency that requires immediate attention.
The Rise of Urgent Care
The number of urgent care centers has increased dramatically in the past two decades, partly due to increased pressure on primary care services. They were also popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many hospitals were overburdened with patients. According to the Urgent Care Association, patient volume at urgent care centers has increased by 60% since 2019.
There are over 14,000 urgent care centers in the United States and nearly 79% of the population is within a 10-minute drive of an urgent care center, according to the UCA. More than 89% of the population is within a 20-minute drive of an urgent care center. If you’re in West Haven, that means there is a good chance there is an urgent care center near you if you need immediate medical attention.
Urgent care centers have helped fill gaps in primary care and can reduce healthcare costs associated with ER visits. They are also highly convenient and can help keep people out of the hospital or ER.
The Difference Between Emergency and Urgent Care
Emergency rooms and urgent care centers both allow patients to receive medical attention if they are unable to see their primary care physician (PCP) in a timely manner. However, there are some key differences between the two.
The emergency room is for true emergencies, such as chest pain, head injuries, or serious burns. Situations that would require a trip to the ER include:
- Compound fracture
- Difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath
- Excessive bleeding
- Heart attack
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Severe allergic reaction
- Stroke
An ER can treat patients at any time of day or night, and they have most of the resources a hospital has. If you go to the ER, you’ll have access to providers in different specialties, such as cardiologists or neurologists. However, ER patients are triaged by the severity of their condition, so you may have to wait if other patients need more immediate attention.
Urgent care, on the other hand, is for injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening, such as fever, headaches, or small cuts that require stitches. They’re a good middle ground between primary care and the emergency room. You might go to urgent care if you have:
- Abdominal pain
- Back or muscle pain
- Earache
- Minor burns
- Nausea
- Simple fractures
- Urinary tract infection
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Urgent care centers usually have basic lab and imaging equipment, but they may not have specialists on staff. However, urgent care is usually less expensive than the ER and has shorter wait times. This can be especially beneficial for patients who have low incomes or who are uninsured.
Compared to an emergency room, doctors in an urgent care center are less rushed and can spend more one-on-one time with patients. Studies have suggested that this also leads to higher-quality care.
Urgent Care vs. Primary Care
While urgent care can be helpful in a pinch, it is not meant to substitute primary care. Outside of emergencies, your primary care physician should be your first call for health issues. Seeing your PCP regularly is also important for preventative care and chronic condition management. However, primary care services can often be booked out for weeks or months. If you have an illness or injury that cannot wait, urgent care is your best bet.
Keep in mind that heavy reliance on urgent care can make it difficult to maintain an established relationship with your PCP. Urgent care providers may rotate between different locations, so you may not get the same provider each time you go. Your PCP, on the other hand, will generally stay the same. Your PCP will also have a more comprehensive view of your medical history. When you go to an urgent care clinic, especially as a new patient, you may spend a lot of time filling out paperwork to get the physician up to speed.
Urgent care clinics also tend to be staffed with physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). While you’ll still get quality care, there are certain tasks PAs and NPs cannot perform that a medical doctor can.
Most primary care offices also keep standard business hours, making it difficult for most people to get care after 5 p.m. However, many urgent care centers are open until 8 p.m. or later and have weekend hours. They also accept walk-ins. This makes it easier for people to get medical care if their primary care provider is unavailable.
Urgent Care in West Haven
Urgent care centers in West Haven are designed to provide high-quality care for non-life-threatening health issues. Whether you are having an allergic reaction or need medical attention after hours, urgent care centers are well-equipped to address your needs quickly.
By understanding when to choose urgent care over the emergency room, you can get faster service at a lower cost than the ER. If you or a loved one is experiencing a health emergency, knowing the difference between the two can help you make an informed decision that will ensure the best results.
Call today or get directions to an urgent care clinic near you.
