URGENT CARE VS. EMERGENCY ROOM
Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room
At San Marcos Urgent Care, we are open 7 days a week to treat non-life-threatening injuries and ailments. Urgent Care clinics primarily treat injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to require an ER Visit. If your injury is life-threatening, immediately call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
How to Decide Between an Urgent Care vs. ER
When deciding between urgent care clinics and emergency rooms the question to answer is: “Are these life-threatening injuries or symptoms?”. If the answer is “Yes”, then the choice is simple: Go to an emergency room or call 911.
If the injuries and symptoms are non-life threatening, then an urgent care center should suffice.
At San Marcos Urgent Care, we are a walk-in clinic open 7 days a week. You can also book an appointment online HERE.
Carlsbad Urgent Care in San Marcos is open 7 days a week for extended hours seven days a week. Monday-Friday 9:00am-9:00pm and Saturday-Sunday 9:00am-7:00pm. You can learn more about our Urgent Care in San Marcos here.
Many Emergency Room Visits Could Be Treated By an Urgent Care Facility.
The New England Health Institute reports that 56% of emergency room visits were “totally avoidable.” Several studies suggest many of these cases could have been handled in urgent care.
Time and Costs Favor Seeing an Urgent Care for Non-Emergency Matters
The cost difference alone should be enough to encourage people to go to urgent care centers. The average urgent care visits range from $50 to $150, depending on the patient’s co-pay and level of treatment, according to the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine.
Average emergency room costs vary wildly based on treatment, but a 2013 National Institute of Health study put the median cost at $1,233. Other estimates push it to as high as $2,168.
Then there is the time factor. Patients at urgent cares are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis with an average wait time of about 30 minutes. Compare this to being seen at an emergency room, where patients are seen based on the severity of condition. Patients with life-threatening injuries go first. The average wait time in the ER is about 2 hours or more.
Care for Non-Emergency Injuries and Symptoms
Our ability to provide episodic care for acute, non-life threatening illness and injury is an important community resource, keeping patients out of the emergency room for non-emergency care.
This results in cost savings to both consumers and employers in terms of total charges. More and more, individuals and companies are evaluating the availability of a strong local urgent care network when choosing their health plan benefits. San Marcos Urgent Care continues to be the best Urgent Care in San Marcos. We have been serving the San Marcos area for over 15 years!
Temecula 24 Hour Urgent Care & Carlsbad Urgent Care San Marcos
Our providers can fill a need that may exist between primary care physicians and the hospital emergency room, especially during times a doctor’s appointment is not readily available.
Should I go to the ER or Urgent Care?
If you have a life threatening injury or condition call 911 or go to your nearest hospital now.
Urgent Care Definition
Urgent Care facilities provide “medically necessary services required for an illness or injury that would not result in further disability or death if not treated immediately, but does require professional attention within 24 hours.” (source: TriCare)
These illnesses or injuries do require professional attention and should be treated within 24 hours to avoid the development of further complications.
When should you come to our Urgent Care?
For injuries or conditions that are not life threatening but need to be taken care of right away, then an urgent care may be the correct choice.
Temecula 24 Hour Urgent Care is open and fully staffed 24/7.
Carlsbad Urgent Care San Marcos is open 7 days a week with extended hours.
All Clinics offer on-site diagnostic tests, on-site x-ray, on-site pharmacy and are fully staffed.
When should you go to the emergency room?
To be seen for severe and life-threatening conditions, the Emergency Room is the correct choice. Emergency Rooms have the widest range of services for emergency care, including access to specialists.
REASONS TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM:
- Severe chest pain
- Severe abdominal pain
- Paralysis
- Intestinal bleeding
- Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy
- Repeated vomiting
- Poisoning
- Severe head or eye injuries
- Unconsciousness
Walk-In or Schedule an Appointment Online.
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