Emergency or Not?
Using an emergency for a non-emergency condition means you will likely have a longer wait while others who are more serious are treated. For serious conditions, 9-1-1 should be called, so evaluation and care can begin immediately. Those who think they may be experiencing a serious condition should always call 9-1-1 and not attempt to drive themselves to the emergency room.
Evaluating Emergencies
Emergency Conditions
- Heart attack/Chest pain
- Stroke
- Serious head injury
- Appendicitis
- Compound fracture
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Diabetic coma/reaction
- Extreme difficulty breathing
- Unresponsiveness
- High fever
- Multiple/severe insect stings
- Hives (swelling of eyes, throat, etc.)
- Poisoning
- Kidney Stones
- Respiratory Failure
- Kidney Failure
- Heart Failure
- Changes in level of consciousness
- Pneumonia
- Seizure
- Knife or gunshot wounds
- Acute asthma
- Drug overdose
- Complications of pregnancy
- Electrical injury
- Drowning
- Choking
- Severe Burn
- Sudden loss or change of vision
- Heat exhaustion
- Attempted suicide
- Diving injuries
- Severe pain
Non-Emergency Conditions
- Cold
- Diarrhea (depending on severity)
- Earache
- Eye Irritation
- Sore Throat
- Mild asthma
- Moderate vomiting or diarrhea
- Headache (depending on presentation)
- Cough
- Low/moderate fever
- Flu
- Nasal allergy
- Urinary tract infection
- Skin rash or infection
- Minor cut
- Muscle sprains & strains
- Sneeze
- Cuts requiring on a few stitches
Anyone who arrives at urgent care with a condition that the doctor determines to be severe will be referred to the hospital emergency department for treatment.
Keep in mind that the out-of-pocket payment for emergency service is also much more than care for a minor illness or accident in a Quick Care Urgent Care Center or in your doctor’s office.