Should You Go to The ER Or to Urgent Care near Laguna Niguel?
Residents of Laguna Niguel have a new option when they’re in need of rapid healthcare without an appointment – Surfside Urgent Care. We offer friendly staff, short wait times, and low prices that even those without insurance can afford.
However, we are not an Emergency Room. There are distinct differences between an ER and Urgent Care near Laguna Niguel, and it’s very important to understand the difference. In a crisis, this is critical information! So, in this blog, we want to simply outline what Urgent Care is and isn’t – in other words, when you should come to us versus when you should go to an ER.
Should I Go to The ER Or to Urgent Care?
- Emergency Rooms
Emergency rooms are attached to full hospitals and are generally intended for those who are facing immediate life-threatening situations – or at least suspect the issue could be life-threatening. They can offer advanced treatments including surgery and other radical intervention that an Urgent Care clinic cannot.
Some of the more common issues that would require ER care include:
- Persistent chest pain or other signs of a heart attack
- Strokes or other neurological events
- Sudden vision loss or persistent double-vision
- Sudden seizures, particularly in those without a history of seizures
- Weakness or paralysis
- Serious burns
- Sudden mental problems such as prolonged dizziness, difficulty speaking
- Newborn children with high fevers
- Compound bone fractures (bone visible)
- Deep cuts, or cuts that won’t stop bleeding
- Severe and persistent vomiting or diarrhea
If you are uncertain about whether your condition is truly an emergency, it’s usually best to play it safe and go to the ER.
- Urgent Care
Urgent care is for medical situations which are serious but do not appear to be life-threatening, particularly when your primary care physician is not available. Many people use the ER in these situations, but they end up wasting a lot of time and money.
Typical reasons people would visit urgent care near Laguna Niguel include:
- Flu and fevers
- Minor traumas such as sprains, strains, or other sports injuries
- STD testing
- Painful urination
- Cleanly broken bones (bone not visible)
- Ear pain
- Sore throats and other cold symptoms
- Non-critical workplace injuries
Urgent Care is not as comprehensive as ER care, but it is faster and cheaper.
Surfside Urgent Care is here to provide quality medical treatment at reasonable prices. Whenever you need help, walk-ins are welcome.
Disclaimer:
Please note that our Urgent Care Facilities might not be able to treat all conditions similar to those described here and these patients are referred to a local emergency room if a high-level of care is required.