Every Woman
Emergency Room or Express Care? How to Know Where You Should Go
 Accidents happen. So does the flu. But when is an injury or health condition serious enough for a call to 911 or a trip to the emergency room? And what’s more appropriate for a non-emergency urgent care visit?
Dr. Julia Bruner, director of MetroExpressCare, MetroHealth’s urgent care program, offers these tips:
When to Call 911 or Rush to the ER
Go straight to the nearest ER for life-threatening medical conditions that require immediate attention to prevent death or disability. Some examples of emergencies are:
- Bleeding that does not stop
- Chest pain
- Drug or other poisoning
- Major burns
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision
- Symptoms of stroke
When to Opt for Express Care
Urgent care is needed for conditions that require attention sooner than a normal appointment with your doctor but are NOT life-threatening:
- Minor burns, injuries or cuts that may need repaired
- Sprains and strains
- Coughs, colds, and sore throats
- Ear infections
- Allergic reactions (non life-threatening)
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
- Rash or other skin irritations or infections
- Mild asthma
- Animal bites
When in doubt, call ahead. If the express care clinic in question can't accommodate your condition, they will advise you to go the nearest emergency facility.
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