How To Choose Urgent Or Emergency Care

Sometimes illnesses or injuries happen after primary care offices have closed. When that happens, know you can always access care at one of Franciscan Health's Emergency Departments or ExpressCare urgent care clinics in Indiana. Learn the difference between urgent care and emergency departments, and understand your options for same-day care.

Key Takeaways: Urgent Care vs. Emergency Department

• Urgent care is a good option when you need same-day care for minor health issues after hours or if your primary care doctor isn’t available.
• You should go to the emergency department for serious medical conditions in which delaying treatment could cause permanent harm or even death. Call 911 if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency.
• Out-of-pocket costs for care at an urgent care clinic or Franciscan ExpressCare clinic will likely be far less than your expected care costs at an emergency department. You will likely receive faster treatment as well, as urgent care clinics do not see patients for life-threatening cases and typically see patients in the order that they arrive.

How Do I Decide Between Urgent Care Or The Emergency Room?

If you face a medical emergency - think heart attack, stroke or life-threatening injury - always opt for the emergency room. We staff our emergency departments with board-certified emergency physicians who are specialists in providing emergency care.

Additionally, emergency departments provide access to advanced imaging equipment and diagnostic resources, such as MRIs or ultrasounds, which we use to evaluate and treat limb- or life-threatening emergencies.

Reasons to go to the ER

"People who believe their lives are in jeopardy should always go to the ER immediately," said Abbi Pena, NP, a family nurse practitioner at Franciscan ExpressCare in West Lafayette, Ind. 

"Always call 911 or go to the emergency room for symptoms that arise suddenly, such as chest pain, which can mean a heart attack, or the sudden onset of slurred speech and/or numbness in the arms or legs, which can indicate a stroke," Pena added.

You should go to the emergency room if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Chest Pain
• Seizures
• Stroke Symptoms
• Severe burns
• Severe abdominal pain
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulty
• Possible poisoning or food poisoning

Plan ahead for a possible emergency by doing an online search for "emergency centers near me" - so you'll have this location information on hand when you need it.

When Should I Head To An Urgent Care Center Or ExpressCare Clinic?

Most urgent care centers, such as Franciscan ExpressCare, are staffed with board-certified family medicine physicians specializing in the treatment of minor conditions and non-emergencies.

Reasons to go to urgent care

Urgent care centers are skilled at treating a range of common medical conditions, including:

• Colds
• Bronchitis
• Flu
• Sore throats
• Headaches
• Fevers
• Urinary tract infections
• Mild abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Mild asthma flare-ups
• Various types of rashes
• Minor burns or cuts
• Allergic reactions
• Minor muscle or joint sprains or strains
• Simple bone fractures

Most urgent care centers - also called walk-in clinics or after-hours clinics - can also provide preventative care services, including STD screenings, school physicals and sports physicals.

You can find a list of Franciscan's Indiana urgent care services near you by searching online for phrases such as "urgent care center near me," "walk-in clinic near me," or "immediate care near me."

What Are The Advantages Of Urgent Treatment Clinics For Treating Minor Issues?

If your medical needs are non-life-threatening or not limb-threatening, there are several reasons to choose urgent care services over emergency departments.

First, your out-of-pocket costs for care at an urgent care clinic or express care clinic will likely be far less than your expected care costs at an emergency department.

Second, your wait time will likely be shorter if you seek care for a minor illness or injury at an urgent care facility. Emergency departments prioritize care for the sickest or most severely injured patients first. This means that stable patients are typically not seen before emergency patients. In contrast, most urgent care clinics see patients in the order they arrive.

Finally, urgent care clinics offer convenient access to care. They do not require an appointment. Franciscan ExpressCare locations treat patients of all ages, and you can let ExpressCare staff that you are en route by using the "On My Way" tool. Licensed medical providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are supported by clinical staff, including RNs, medical assistants and radiology technicians. Most locations have on-site X-ray imaging and laboratory services.

What Should I Do If I Don't Know Whether To Go To Urgent Care Or The ER?

If you are dealing with an issue that is not life-threatening but you are still unsure whether you should go to the emergency room or urgent care, seek guidance by calling your primary care physician's after-hours line or the nurse hotline on the back of your health insurance card.

The time of day of your injury or illness may also determine where you seek care. You may only be able to access 24-hour urgent care at an emergency department since many urgent care clinics operate just until 7 or 8 p.m. Be sure to check each walk-in clinic's urgent care hours before heading there for care.