ER vs urgent care: Do you know where to go?

Some decisions can be tough—especially when you or your family needs quick medical attention. You may not have much time to weigh your options and figure out where to go for help. The emergency room (ER)? Urgent care? Your primary care provider or child’s pediatrician?

Choosing the right place to receive care can save you time, money, and hassle. And ultimately, you get better treatment. Let’s take a closer look at your options, so you’re ready to make the smartest choice.

Start with primary care

When you need medical care, if possible, start with a call to your primary care provider. They know your medical history and are in the best position to help you manage any existing conditions.

Your current provider can schedule you for an appointment or advise you to go to the ER or urgent care if it can’t wait.

Need a provider? Find a primary care provider at LCMC Health.

Note: Always call 911 right away if you think you’re having a medical emergency, such as chest pain, a stroke, or severe bleeding.

When to go to urgent care

Urgent care and the ER offer some of the same types of services, such as X-rays and blood tests. But they differ in important ways. While an ER is open 24/7 and treats life-threatening illnesses or injuries, urgent care has limited hours and treats minor medical problems.

You may want to visit urgent care if you need immediate—but not emergency—attention. Most urgent cares have extended hours, including evenings and weekends. Think of them like a walk-in doctor’s office where you don’t have to schedule an appointment to see a provider.

Consider going to urgent care for:

• Allergies
• Cuts that may need stitches
• Ear infections
• Fevers
• Flu symptoms
• Minor burns
• Possible broken bones or simple fractures
• Sinus infections
• Sore throats
• Sprains and strains
• Vomiting and diarrhea

Find an urgent care near you

At LCMC Health, we have urgent care clinics across New Orleans, including urgent care for kids. We can treat most urgent medical conditions without a visit to the ER. Simply walk through the door, and we’ll see you as quickly as possible.

We also list updated urgent care wait times online, with an option to check in early, so you get faster care.

When to go to the ER

The ER is designed to treat patients with true medical emergencies. Some studies estimate that half of all ER visits aren’t for true emergencies. Going to the ER for a non-emergency isn’t ideal—not only does it cost more, but ERs usually prioritize patient care based on the seriousness of the emergency. So, if you don’t need treatment right away, you’ll have to wait.

Though not a complete list, here are examples of emergency situations:

• Bleeding or vomiting that won’t stop
• Chest pain
• Choking
• Head or back injuries
• Loss of consciousness or vision
• Major burns and cuts
• Poisoning
• Seizure
• Stroke
• Sudden, severe pain, including the head or stomach
• Trouble breathing

Find an emergency room near you

When you experience a medical emergency, every second counts. If you’re ever in doubt, go the nearest ER or call 911.

Learn more about LCMC Health Emergency Care and find the ER that’s closest to you. We have ER locations all over New Orleans. Many list current ER wait times online, along with the option to check in before you arrive.