Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care: What’s the Difference?
Many ERs can become overwhelmed with patients seeking treatment for non-emergency situations. Urgent Care services offer time-saving and attainable solutions for any acute condition that needs quality, professional medical care. It is important to understand urgent care and emergency room differences to understand your options when it comes to healthcare.
At Centennial Medical Center, our number one priority is to treat all of our patients’ non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries in a timely manner. If you’re suffering from a cold, a sports injury, a moderate burn– walk-in to our clinic today to receive treatment with no appointment necessary.
When to Visit an Urgent Care
Urgent care centers like Centennial Medical Center can treat a variety of urgent conditions with quality and compassionate care. For many urgent conditions, patients may not realize urgent care centers can offer help, and instead opt to wait hours in an emergency room lobby. Our team of board-certified, licensed professionals can provide same-day diagnosis and can treat injuries right away.
Just some of the conditions treatable at FirstCall Medical Center include:
- Fever or other flu-like symptoms
- Dehydration
- Shortness of breath
- Sprains or strains of muscles
- Minor to moderate cuts that may require stitches
- Sore throats
- STDs
- Ear pain
- Painful urination
- Food poisoning
- Sports injuries
Urgent care centers can treat many different conditions beyond this list, but they are not a substitute for a primary care physician or emergency care. If you have questions about whether your condition is suitable for an urgent care physician, you can give us a call anytime at (410) 730-3399. If you visit our center and your condition is deemed an emergency, our providers will call 911 for you, or we will write a referral for you if applicable.
When to Go to an Emergency Room
Emergency rooms are best for emergency situations. If you have a life-threatening condition, or if you need treatment for your infant, you should go to your nearest ER.
Some emergency conditions that should be treated at the ER include:
- Serious burns (3rd & 4th degree)
- Concussions
- Seizures
- Severe chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Stroke
- Head trauma
- Severe bleeding
- Loss of vision
The difference between urgent care and emergency rooms lies in the severity of the health condition or injury. If the condition is a minor, acute illness or injury, take advantage of the convenience and affordability that First Call Medical Center can offer you!
Urgent Care Services at Centennial Medical Center
Our highly-trained staff has the experience and attentiveness to care for patients promptly and professionally. If you would like to schedule a time to meet with a member of our staff, you can call us at (410) 730-3399 or request an appointment online.