Holiday 911

Which is best: emergency or urgent care?

This time of year, a lot can go wrong — from digestive issues to slips and falls, and even heart attacks. Where’s the best place to go for care when you need treatment STAT and most places are closed?

Hospital emergency rooms are designed to provide care for life-threatening situations. Many people, however, go to an emergency department without realizing they have other options for conditions that aren’t as serious.

Emergency room visits should really only be for true medical emergencies. If you’re going to the ER, it really should be only for a life-threatening or very serious illness or injury.

A study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly 50 percent of patients who visited emergency departments went there because their doctor’s office was not open.

If you’re sick or have a minor injury when your doctor’s office is closed, an immediate care center is an excellent option. It’ll save you time and money over a visit to the ER.

Several Norton Immediate Care Centers are open over the holidays. Check out your options here:

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