Health Answers

Emergency vs. Urgent Care: Where should I go?

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Do you know when best to visit your primary care provider, urgent care location or emergency department? It can seem like they will all do the same thing, but choosing the right location will help provide you better understanding of your health care needs.

When to visit your doctor's office

Visit your primary care provider for care and treatment of non-urgent issues. Your doctor is your partner in good health and is most familiar with your medical history. Your primary care provider gives routine care and treatment when it is not an emergency.

"Call your provider’s office first, and we can do a telehealth visit with you to determine if you need to come in for testing or if your symptoms can be assessed right from where you are," says Jennifer Olson, DO, CPE, President for the MercyOne Medical Group.

Visit your doctor's office for:

Routine well visits
Preventive care
Immunizations or shots
Diabetes
Rashes
Cold and flu symptoms
Gastrointestinal issues
Sprains and strains
High blood pressure
Tooth pain
Sore throat
Pink eye
Lower back pain
Animal or insect bite
Urinary tract infection
Pelvic wellness
Ear pain

MercyOne Primary Care location near you

When to visit urgent care

Urgent care can treat any health concern you need to be seen immediately for, but is not life-threatening. Urgent care has evening and weekend hours when your primary care provider may not be available.

Sprains and strains
Stitches
Rashes
Cold and flu symptoms
Tooth pain
Sore throat
Pink eye
Lower back pain
Animal or insect bite
Urinary tract infection
Ear pain

In some cases, you don't even have to leave your home for an urgent care visit. Many MercyOne urgent care locations now offer telehealth visits, using confidential videoconferencing technology from your smart phone, tablet or computer.

MercyOne Urgent Care locations

When to visit an emergency department

Serious injuries or severe illness that may require hospitalization should be directed to your local emergency department. For any life-threatening emergency, call 911.