What is the difference between an Emergency Department and an Urgent Care Center? When should you visit one versus the other?
Urgent care is not a substitute for emergency care. You should use an emergency department for very serious or life-threatening problems. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, don’t wait! Call 911 or get to your nearest hospital emergency department.
| Chest pain | Severe abdominal pain |
| Coughing up or vomiting blood | Severe burns |
| Deep cuts or bleeding that won’t stop | Sudden blurred vision |
| Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath | Sudden dizziness, weakness, or loss of coordination or balance |
| Numbness in the face, arm, or leg | Sudden, severe headache |
| Seizures | |
Click here for more information on the differences between an ER and Urgent Care Center.