When you look for emergency medical treatment in the DFW area, your search will yield two different kinds of results scattered throughout the cities: urgent care clinics and emergency rooms. Although it's clear that the two kinds of medical facilities are different, when exactly should you be turning to each?
In general, urgent care clinics are equipped to handle problems that are not life-threatening. These are the places to go when you have a sprained ankle, a fever, minor cuts, burns, etc. Most urgent care facilities offer extended hours and are open seven days a week, and they typically provide benefits such as:
- Shorter wait times (usually under 30 minutes)
- Lower costs
- Potentially no rate increases on insurance premiums
- Access to X-rays and vaccinations
- Child-friendly environments
On the other hand, an emergency room is the place to be when someone has sustained a serious injury or an illness that's extremely severe. If someone's symptoms have manifested quickly or traumatically, it's smart to err on the side of caution and seek out a real ER, not just an urgent care facility. They are much more equipped to handle time-sensitive issues like:
- Poisoning, vomiting or coughing up blood
- Severe wounds or amputations
- Suicidal feelings
- Chest pains, signs of stroke or shortness of breath
If you have further questions about which type of medical facility to visit, check out this website. We'd also love for you to share your favorite urgent care centers or emergency rooms in the comments below so that others can benefit from them.