ER or urgent care? Making the right call for your health

Emergencies happen and knowing when to head to the emergency room or an urgent care center empowers you to make the best decision when minutes count.

When to go to urgent care

Urgent care is not a substitute for emergency care, as it doesn’t have the same equipment or trained specialists as an emergency room. But urgent care is a good option for minor injuries and illnesses when you can’t wait for an appointment with your primary care team.

“Urgent care is best for conditions like strains, sprains and minor cuts that require stitches,” says Brandy Sollenberger, Sentara RMH Medical Center emergency department clinical nurse manager. “It’s also helpful for testing and treating colds and flu and other minor illnesses, such as strep throat and urinary tract infections.”

Reasons to choose urgent care

1. Shorter wait times: Urgent care locations usually see patients faster than emergency rooms.
2. Extended hours: Urgent care locations are usually open beyond your primary care team's traditional office hours, including evenings and weekends.
3. Cost-effective care: Urgent care visits are usually more affordable than ER visits, helping you save money while receiving prompt medical care. (Urgent care may have a different co-pay from a primary care visit. Check with your health insurance for more information.)

Urgent care centers are best for:

• Animal/bug bites (minor), stings
• Asthma (mild)
• Back pain
• Cuts (minor) that may require stitches
• Coughs, colds and flu (minor symptoms)
• Dental pain
• Fever without a rash
• Poison ivy/oak
• Sinus infection/sore throat/earaches
• Sports physicals
• Sprains and strains
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• X-rays

Urgent care centers are also connected to local emergency rooms if the care team feels the patient needs more care.

“If you go to urgent care and they determine you need emergency care, for example, your blood pressure is extremely high, the urgent care may recommend you go to the emergency room and even call ahead to let them know you’re coming,” explains Sollenberger.

Located in Harrisonburg, Velocity Urgent Care, in partnership with Sentara, also offers the convenience of reserving your spot before you arrive.

When to go to the emergency room

When your life is at risk, it’s essential to go to an emergency room for timely treatment.Sollenberger defines a medical emergency as “a health situation that can’t wait” and emphasizes that the Sentara RMH Medical Center emergency room is “staffed to handle complex and critical health needs around the clock.”

“We see emergencies like accidents, broken bones and chest pain year-round, and summer also has unique emergencies like heat exhaustion and dehydration,” she adds.

Health concerns best seen in the ER include:

• Allergic reaction (Severe/Sudden)
• Babies: Any fever if under eight weeks
• Broken bones and dislocated joints
• Serious burns/cuts
• Chest pain or pressure
• Concussion/confusion/head injury (even if just suspected)
• Coughing/throwing up blood
• Dehydration
• Diabetic emergencies
• Difficulty breathing, severe shortness of breath
• Fainting/changes in mental state
• Extremely high fever
• Mental health (the person is a danger to themselves or others)
• Overdose (even if just suspected)
• Poisoning
• Seizures
• Severe cold or flu symptoms
• Stroke symptoms
• Snakebite
• Stomach pain (severe pain that comes on suddenly)
• Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
• Uncontrolled nausea, diarrhea
• Wounds (deep wounds and cuts requiring stitches)

When pain or illness strikes, and you need care right away, choose the Sentara RMH Medical Center emergency room to receive the emergency care you need from the team you trust.

Sentara RMH Medical Center treats emergency patients in order of priority based on a triage assessment when meeting each patient. Some patients are treated in the main emergency department, while those with less severe issues may be seen in a separate area called Focus Care, designed to treat minor emergencies faster.

“If you’re unsure, I think it’s good to err on the side of caution,” Sollenberger adds. “We are always open and here for you.”