When you've been in an accident or you're feeling ill, seeking assistance from a physician is essential. That said, deciding between urgent care at your local medical clinic and visiting a hospital emergency room can be tricky. Here's a quick guide to your options so that you can get immediate assistance that aligns with your needs. 

Emergency Room

Emergency rooms are typically one department that's connected to a larger hospital. As such, they have the staff, equipment, supplies, and resources to manage life-threatening issues and ambulance intake. They're also typically open 24 hours a day to better serve the community and residents in need of medical care that can't wait until the morning.

When you need immediate medical attention due to a life- or limb-threatening issue, the emergency room is where you should go. If you have alarming symptoms, such as chest pains, severe bleeding, paralysis, vision loss, difficulty breathing, a gunshot wound, a compound fracture where a bone is protruding through your skin, seizures, or a head injury, go straight to the emergency room. If you feel it's necessary, call 911 so that an ambulance can get you there faster. 

Urgent Care Center

Urgent care centers, in contrast to emergency rooms, are often standalone medical clinics or connected to a primary care physician's practice. The hours of an urgent care center may vary, but most have morning, evening, and weekend hours to better accommodate incoming patients. This is the place to seek non-life-threatening medical care in a timely manner. While you can make appointments in advance, urgent care will take walk-ins as their schedule permits. 

The type of medical issues treated at urgent care includes mild asthma, mild allergic reactions, sprains, and small lacerations that require stitches. Other reasons to visit urgent care include fever, flu symptoms, nausea, diarrhea, rashes, eye irritation, sinus problems, and back pain. Urinary tract infections, bronchitis, and earaches are also commonly treated at this type of facility. 

If you're looking for a top-notch medical clinic that offers urgent care, turn to the experts at Palladium Primary Care. Based in the heart of High Point, NC, residents across Guilford, Randolph, Alamance, Forsyth, and Davidson counties have depended on Dr. George Osei-Bonsu and his team for personalized medical care since 2008. To schedule an appointment, call today at (336) 841-8500. For more information on this doctor's approach and commitment to life-long care, visit their website.