Emergency room services and urgent care services differ from each other, as ER services cover life-threatening illnesses or injuries, whereas urgent care centers are designed to assist a patient with an injury or illness that does not appear to be life-threatening. However, even if the condition is not life-threatening, it still has to be addressed immediately.
Examples of Emergency Conditions
So, when your primary care physician is not available, or the office has closed down for the day, you can reach out to an urgent care center if you need to have a medical condition or injury treated immediately. Again, urgent care services are not a substitute for emergency care. Typically, a condition that is considered to be an emergency is one that may permanently endanger or impair one’s life. Some examples of emergency care include the following:
* Severe chest pain, or difficulty with breathing.
* A compound fracture, where the bone protrudes through the skin.
* Fever in a newborn.
* Convulsions or seizures.
* Loss of consciousness.
* Gunshot wounds or deep knife wounds.
* Burns that are moderate to severe.
* Poisoning.
* Serious neck, head, or back injuries.
* Pregnancy-related issues.
* Severe abdominal pain.
* Signs of a heart attack – a chest pain that lasts longer than two minutes.
* Signs of a stroke.
* Suicidal feelings or thoughts.
Urgent Care Conditions
Urgent care services cover conditions such as:
* Accidents and falls.
* Strains and sprains.
* Moderate back injuries.
* Mild to moderate asthma.
* Bleeding from cuts not requiring stitches.
* Diagnostic services.
* Eye redness or irritation.
* Flu or fever.
* Vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration.
* Cough or severe sore throat.
* Skin infections and rashes.
* Urinary tract infections.
* Minor fractures (for example, broken finger or toe bones).
So, if you suffer an accident or if you fall ill with the flu or a similar condition, you can conveniently drop in at an urgent care center, such as the North American Emergency Medical Center (NAMC). Such facilities are open 365 days per year, generally between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm during the week, and on Saturday, Sundays, and holidays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. You can also connect them on Facebook for more updates.
