Navigating the Holidays with a Movement Disorder: Our Top Tips

Whether you’ve cut your hand or broken a bone, prompt medical care is nonnegotiable, but knowing where to go — the emergency room (ER) or urgent care — isn’t always easy.

Take a moment as Dr. Rogers Walker and the team here at  Walker Family Care team in Little River, South Carolina, share tips for choosing between the ER and urgent care.

When to go to urgent care

Urgent care centers are equipped to handle non life-threatening medical issues that still need prompt attention. They’re ideal for conditions that require treatment within a few hours but don’t pose an immediate risk to your health.

You might consider urgent care if:

• You have a minor burn
• You have a minor cut or laceration
• You’ve sustained a sprain or strain
• You have mild-to-moderate flu symptoms
• You have a rash 

Another plus: Urgent care centers are also more affordable than the ER, typically have a less expensive co-pay, and usually have shorter wait times.

When to go to the emergency room

American ERs see 139.8 million patients each year and are designed to treat serious and life-threatening conditions. The ER is your best option if you’re experiencing severe symptoms that may indicate a critical health issue, such as a stroke or heart attack.

You should consider heading to the ER if you are experiencing:

• Chest pain
• The “worst headache of your life” (could indicate an aneurysm)
• Bleeding that won’t stop
• A complex fracture, including an open fracture 
• Shortness of breath
• Head injuries
• Stroke symptoms, including dizziness, loss of facial movement, confusion, and slurred speech

The ER is staffed and equipped for critical interventions, including surgeries and advanced imaging. Going to the ER for severe symptoms can be life-saving because you can get the care you need quickly.

When in doubt, especially with severe symptoms, it’s always safer to go to the ER or to call 911 if you believe it’s a life-threatening emergency.

How to decide between the two

Sometimes it’s easy to know whether you need to go to the ER or urgent care. For example, if you’ve broken your arm, and you can see the bone, it’s time to head to the ER. 

In other cases, though, it’s straightforward. Use these factors to make your decision: 

Severity of symptoms

Urgent care is better suited for mild and moderate symptoms, while the ER is better suited for severe symptoms. For example, if you’re feeling under the weather and suspect you have a mild sinus infection, consider urgent care. 

On the other hand, if you’re so sick and have trouble breathing, the ER is more equipped to handle severe flu symptoms, especially if you have underlying health conditions. 

Age and underlying health conditions

Sometimes the deciding factor is not the symptom but the person. For example, a newborn under two months old with a 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit fever would be directed to the ER while an eight-year-old could be seen in an urgent care setting for the same symptom.

Wait time and cost

ER visits are more costly and often involve longer wait times, especially for non life-threatening issues. Urgent care typically provides quicker service for minor issues at a lower cost.

How we can help

Not all urgent care centers have imaging or lab facilities, so they may refer you to the ER for more complex needs. However, Walker Family Care offers everything you need in an urgent care setting, including:

• Laboratory services
• Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays and ultrasound
• Minor laceration repair
• Treatment for minor injuries, including fractures and sprains
• Care for infections, including flu, common cold, sinus infections, and COVID-19

Though you can’t always predict or avoid medical emergencies, it’s best to be prepared. Store our number (843-280-8333) in your phone, so you’ll have it handy in case you need it.

For less urgent matters, use our online booking tool to request an appointment.