Understand differences between emergency departments and urgent care centers. Get timely medical attention without the long wait for noncritical health issues.

Published: February 21, 2022 | Updated: October 4, 2024

Many injuries, illnesses and other health-related situations might make you think of heading to the nearest hospital emergency room. But if your symptoms or injury aren’t severe, you may find yourself facing a long wait as others with more serious conditions are seen ahead of you — regardless of who got there first. It’ll probably cost more too.

A hospital-based emergency room (sometimes called an “emergency department” because there is typically more than one exam room) is equipped to help someone with a severe, critical or life-threatening condition. If you want to get medical care for something less severe, your best option is an urgent care center, a health clinic, your primary care doctor or a virtual visit.

One important way to decide where to seek care is to consider the severity of your medical condition or injury. If it’s not severe, then a better option would be calling your primary care provider, visiting an immediate care center or health clinic or choosing a telehealth visit, according to Mary Rademaker, M.D., medical director of Norton Immediate Care Centers. Not only is the wait likely to be shorter, but you may save money as well.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

“Norton Immediate Care Centers are staffed by excellent and highly skilled physicians and nurse practitioners who can handle many conditions that need to be treated right away but are not considered true medical emergencies,” Dr. Rademaker said. All Norton Immediate Care Centers can perform lab work and take X-rays.

When to go to a hospital emergency room

Anyone with a critical medical need of any age can go to an emergency room — that includes severe versions of common illnesses or minor injuries. For example, a suspected broken bone can be X-rayed, diagnosed and treated at a Norton Immediate Care Center. But if the bone is protruding through skin, you should get to an emergency room.

In any case, if you believe your condition is a matter of life or death, don’t hesitate to call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

You should seek care at the emergency room or dial 911 for a true emergency such as:

• Trouble breathing or difficulty breathing
• Passing out or fainting
• Severe chest pain, pressure or a suspected heart attack
• Severe head, neck or spine injury
• Sudden lack of ability to speak, see, walk or move
• Sudden weakness or droopiness on one side of the body or suspected stroke
• Heavy bleeding
• Major breaks or fractures
• Severe allergic reactions
• Suicidal or homicidal feelings
• Drug or alcohol overdose
• Sudden loss of vision

Emergency room visit pros

• Equipped for life-threatening conditions
• Access to a full range of diagnostic and treatment services

Cons

• Longer wait times for less-severe issues
• More expensive than other medical treatment options

When to go to an urgent care clinic

Norton Immediate Care Centers and other urgent care facilities are designed to treat conditions that aren’t life threatening, but require urgent attention. They serve as a middle ground between the ER and your primary care doctor. Norton Immediate Care Centers are equipped to perform lab tests and take X-rays.

Consider urgent care for:

• Cold, flu and other viral illnesses (unless you have trouble breathing, then go to the emergency department)
• Ear and sinus infections
• Bronchitis, pneumonia and mild to moderate asthma issues
• Rashes and allergic reactions
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration
• Bladder infections
• Minor fractures
• Skin infections
• Abscess care, including drainage
• Cuts, abrasions (scrapes) and minor burns
• Insect stings and bites
• Sprains and strains/concern for a possible broken bone

Urgent care pros

• Extended hours, including evenings and weekends
• Usually shorter wait times compared with an emergency room
• Cheaper than emergency care

Cons

• Limited services compared with the emergency room
• May not have access to certain diagnostic tools, like advanced imaging or intravenous fluids

When to go to a health clinic

Sometimes located in a grocery store or drug store, clinics like Norton Prompt Care provide a range of same-day services from nurse practitioners. Common reasons for a health clinic visit include routine checkups, preventive care and treatment for a minor illness.

This option can be a good substitute if you’re not feeling well and can’t get a last-minute appointment with your primary care physician. Health clinics also offer preventive services, such as sports physicals, sexually transmitted infection screenings, and immunizations. Norton Prompt Care treats patients ages 12 months and older.

Visit a health clinic for:

• Sports physicals
• Vaccinations
• Management of chronic conditions (like diabetes or hypertension)
• Health screenings
• Blisters and other small wounds
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Ear pain
• Pinkeye
• Minor sprains or strained muscles
• Seasonal allergies
• Skin rashes
• Sore throats, coughs, and other cold and flu symptoms
• Urinary tract infection

Health clinic pros

• Focus on preventive care and overall health management
• Often lower costs

Cons

• No X-ray equipment
• Not full lab capability
• May require an appointment, leading to potential wait times for walk-ins

Virtual care

Virtual care like Norton eCare provides care for minor health concerns through video, phone or messaging. Norton eCare is available through Norton MyChart for patients ages 2 years and older.

Opt for virtual urgent care for:

• Cold and flu symptoms
• Rashes
• Pinkeye
• Urinary tract infection
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Virtual care pros

• Convenient and accessible from home
• No travel time or waiting rooms
• Available 24/7
• Lower cost than an ER, usually the same price as an in-person urgent care visit

Cons

• Limited physical examinations
• Not suitable for emergencies or serious conditions
• May require an in-person follow-up visit for tests or treatments (Norton Healthcare offers drive-thru service at Norton Healthcare Express Services.)