If you’re sick or injured, it can be difficult to know whether you should visit a walk-in urgent care center, your primary care doctor, or the emergency room. Choosing the right place for same-day care can help you receive treatment more quickly while ensuring you get the care you need.
Ryan Renacci, MD, MA, Medical Director, Mount Sinai-Urgent Care, East 14th Street, explains when each option is most appropriate.
Ryan Renacci, MD, MA
What is the difference between urgent care and the emergency room?
Emergency rooms, also known as emergency departments, are primarily for patients with life-threatening conditions, such as a stroke or major injury. Urgent care centers provide walk-in, same-day care for common illnesses and minor injuries that are not life-threatening.
Emergency rooms have greater resources to evaluate and treat more serious or complex conditions. They can perform laboratory testing and imaging quickly, provide rapid interpretation of results, and consult specialists if emergency intervention is needed.
Because lab results at urgent care are not available the same day, patients with symptoms such as chest pain, abdominal pain, or dizziness that could be related to a heart condition, blood clot, or stroke may be referred to the emergency room, where timely diagnosis and treatment are critical.
What conditions can be treated at an urgent care center?
Urgent care centers provide same-day care for many illnesses and injuries that require prompt treatment but are not medical emergencies, including:
Common illnesses
- Upper respiratory infections, including strep throat
- Flu symptoms
- Urinary tract infections
- Bronchitis
- Mild coughs
- Rashes
Minor injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Ankle injuries
- Fractures of the arm or leg
- Minor head injuries and concussions
- Cuts requiring stitches or suture removal
Other services
- Vaccinations
- Routine blood tests
- Screening laboratory tests
- Evaluation for sexually transmitted infections
The reception desk at Mount Sinai-Urgent Care, East 14th Street, located in Mount Sinai-Union Square
When should I go to the emergency room instead of urgent care?
Go to the emergency room immediately if you have symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, severe bleeding, major trauma, or another life-threatening emergency. If you are unsure whether your condition is an emergency, an urgent care provider can evaluate you and refer you to the emergency department if necessary.
What are some common misconceptions about urgent care?
A common misconception is that urgent care is the right place for ongoing, chronic, and complex medical problems. While urgent care is good for evaluating new symptoms that have developed over a few days, specialists are better equipped to monitor chronic illnesses, adjust medications, and manage more complex conditions over time.
Examples:
- Chest pain with shortness of breath
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Difficulty speaking
- Severe head injury
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe bleeding
- Accidental drug ingestion or overdose
When should I see a doctor instead of going to urgent care?
If you are experiencing chronic or ongoing health problems, you should see a specialist. For example, chronic hearing loss or chronic hearing changes should be evaluated by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Persistent or complex skin rashes should be managed by a dermatologist, who can offer medications, perform biopsies, and provide specialized care. Similarly, changes or refills to chronic medications (like blood pressure medications) should always be performed by your primary care physician, who can monitor you over time.
What should I do if I can’t get an appointment with my primary care doctor?
If you cannot get a timely appointment with your primary care doctor, urgent care can provide same-day care for many non-emergency medical concerns while helping coordinate follow-up with a specialist or primary care doctor, often within a few days.