Skip the ER Wait: 5 Reasons You Should Visit Urgent Care Instead

When you’re sick or injured and need medical attention today, deciding where to go isn’t always easy. You may not need to spend hours in the emergency room (ER) if your health condition isn’t serious, but some symptoms require emergency care.

Urgent care handles medical issues that need prompt attention but aren’t life-threatening. Knowing the difference between urgent care and the ER can help you get the right level of care without an unnecessary trip to your local hospital emergency department.

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, our specialists provide care for a wide range of nonlife-threatening illnesses and injuries, helping you get the treatment you need without a long ER wait.

Here are five common situations that may warrant a trip to urgent care, along with warning signs that may mean the ER is a better choice.

1. Minor injury that needs medical attention

Injuries happen all the time, and they may not always require medical care. But if you have an ankle sprain, minor burn, or cut that needs stitches, urgent care can provide the treatment you need.

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, we treat sports injuries and work-related injuries and can provide follow up care if needed.

However, some injuries require emergency care. Go to the ER if you have a head injury, severe bleeding that won’t stop, or an injury with significant deformity. 

2. Infections

Urgent care can diagnose and treat many common infections, providing immediate care to help you feel better. Conditions we commonly treat include:

• Ear infections
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Cold, flu, and COVID-19
• Strep throat
• Sinus infection
• Skin infection

We offer rapid testing for the flu and COVID-19 and can prescribe antiviral medications or antibiotics when appropriate. 

However, an infection with serious symptoms may require emergency care. Go to the ER if you experience confusion, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, or other severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.

3. Sudden illness

Illnesses don’t always occur during your doctor’s office hours. When you need medical attention but can’t get an appointment with your primary care doctor, urgent care is a convenient alternative. 

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, we offer same-day and next day appointments, including evening and weekend care, so you can get evaluated when you need it.

With some symptoms, however, you should bypass urgent care and get to the nearest emergency room. If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, or signs of a stroke (blurry vision, slurred speech, or weakness), call 911 or go to the ER.

4. Diagnostic testing

Urgent care clinics offer diagnostic testing that can help identify the cause of many illnesses and injuries. Depending on your symptoms, testing may include X-ray, urinalysis, or testing for strep throat or the flu.  

We can also treat many of the conditions revealed through testing and provide guidance on follow up care. Urgent care is an appropriate option for problems that need a timely evaluation but don’t require the advanced resources and specialized care available at the ER. 

5. Concerning symptoms

It’s not always easy to determine if your symptoms are serious. For those “gray area” situations, urgent care is a good place to start when you don’t believe your symptoms are life-threatening. 

Examples of symptoms that may benefit an urgent care evaluation include:

• Ongoing stomach pain
• Severe throat pain
• New skin rash
• Minor allergic reaction

Remember: If you have worsening or life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. 

Urgent care is a convenient option when you have health concerns that need prompt medical attention but aren’t life-threatening, while the ER is best equipped to handle serious and potentially life-threatening emergencies. 

When deciding between urgent care and the ER, focus on the severity of your symptom rather than the potential wait time. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a medical emergency, don’t delay care because you’re concerned about the ER wait.

For non-emergency health concerns, the urgent care services at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland provide timely, comprehensive care and help bridge the gap between your primary care doctor and the emergency room.

If you need medical care for a minor injury or health issue, our team can provide prompt evaluations and interventions. Call us today or use the book online feature to schedule an appointment at our office in Midland, Michigan.