Health & Fitness
Health 101: When To Go To Urgent Care
When dealing with a non-emergency illness or injury, save yourself time and get treated at Banner Urgent Care.
When you're dealing with an illness or injury, it isn't always clear where to seek treatment. Some situations call for a visit to your primary care physician or local emergency department. In many cases, however, Banner Urgent Care might be just what you need.
So when should you seek treatment from an urgent care center, and when should you go to an emergency department? Here's what the experts at Banner Health have to say:
If you have a medical emergency, please call 911.
What Urgent Care Centers Do
An urgent care facility can treat many different conditions, and in some cases, it can be a good alternative to waiting to see your regular doctor.
Dr. Bill Schneider, the Medical Director of the pediatric emergency department at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, says that although the scope and extent of urgent care services may vary some from one location to another, all are "effective in treating coughs, colds, and sore throats."
Other minor illnesses and injuries you can get treated at an urgent care location are:
- earaches
- simple allergic reactions
- pinkeye
- rashes
- insect bites
- sports physicals
- x-rays
- flu shots and vaccinations
- blood tests
- pregnancy tests
With an urgent care facility, you can walk in and be seen the same day with minimal wait and hassle. Appointments aren’t required, but you can reserve a spot online ahead of time to minimize your waiting time. Most patients are in and out within an hour, and the trip is usually less costly than going to the emergency room. That's not to say, though, that maintaining a relationship with your general practitioner is not important…
Find an Urgent Care Location Near You
Why You Still Need a Primary Care Provider
As Dr. Moneesh Bhow, Medical Director of the department of emergency medicine at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, tells The Arizona Republic, "Even those in good health should have an established primary care provider for annual check-ups. Your primary care provider understands your medical history."
Dr. Schneider further stresses the importance of having a regular primary care doctor or private physician, pointing out that for non-emergencies, parents or patients unsure of where to seek treatment "should first call their primary care doctor's office for advice."
Find a Primary Care Provider Near You
What Emergency Departments Do
According to Dr. Schneider, serious injuries or medical conditions should be seen in an emergency department rather than an urgent care center. These include:
- head injuries
- broken bones
- lacerations
- animal bites
- serious burns
- chest pain
- abdominal pain
- neurological symptoms
- poisonings
- severe headaches
- dehydration
- loss of consciousness
- difficulty breathing
"Children under the age of six months with a fever should be seen in the ER," he adds, "because they are at a higher risk for serious bacterial infections."
Note: If you have a medical emergency, please call 911.
Find A Banner Health Emergency Room Near You
More From Banner Health:
- What Treatments & Conditions Are Treated At Urgent Care
- What To Expect During Your Urgent Care Visit
- Find More Urgent Care Locations Near You
First Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock