Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room: A Clinician Guide for Patients

Making the Right Call When You Are Sick or Injured

Go to the Emergency Room for: chest pain with shortness of breath, stroke symptoms (FAST), severe difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, severe allergic reaction, sudden severe headache, or any life-threatening situation. Urgent Care is appropriate for: fever without severe symptoms, minor cuts needing stitches, sprains, UTIs, ear infections, pink eye, mild asthma flares, rashes, and common illnesses when primary care cannot see you same-day. When in doubt, go to the ER.