Emergency vs. Urgent Care: Where should I go?
Source: https://www.mercyone.org/health-and-wellness/health-answers/er-or-urgent-care
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:34
Emergency vs. Urgent Care: Where should I go?
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Primary care vs. urgent care vs. emergency care: Where should I go?
July 8, 2025
Categories:
Wellness
Overview: Primary care vs. urgent care vs. emergency care, when should I go where? Are they all the same? Understanding the difference between these care options can help you make the right choice, so you or your loved one receives the best possible care.
Visiting your doctor, going to urgent care and heading to the emergency department can all seem similar, but choosing the right location is important in getting the care you need.
When to visit your doctor's office
You should see your primary care provider (PCP) for routine and non-urgent medical care. Your PCP partners with you to manage your overall health and serves as your first point of contact for your health care needs.
Contact your PCP today!
Visit your doctor's office for:
Routine well visits
Preventative care
Immunizations or shots
Chronic Care Management (diabetes, blood pressure)
Rashes
Cold and flu symptoms
Gastrointestinal issues
Minor injuries (sprains and strains)
Sore throat
Pink eye
Lower back pain
Animal or insect bite
Urinary tract infection
Pelvic wellness
Ear pain
MercyOne Primary Care location near you
When to visit urgent care
Urgent care is best for non-life-threatening issues that need immediate attention. Urgent care clinics often have evening and weekend hours when your primary care provider may not be available. And many accept walk-ins, making them a convenient option for timely care.
However, urgent care should not replace your PCP. If you visit urgent care for a condition that requires ongoing monitoring or referral to a specialist, it’s important to follow up with your PCP.
Visit an urgent care clinic for:
Injuries
Lacerations/stiches
Rashes
cold and flue symptoms
Sore throat
Pink eye
Lower back pain
Animal or insect bite
Urinary tract infection
Ear pain
Find a MercyOne Urgent Care clinic
When to visit an emergency department
For serious injuries or severe illness that may require hospitalization, head to the emergency department (ED). For any life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Unlike primary care or urgent care, the ED is open 24/7 and can handle a wide range of emergencies. While the ED is appropriate for acute care, it’s not for routine or non-urgent medical issues. Visiting the ED for minor conditions can lead to long wait times, higher medical costs and may take resources away from patients with true health emergencies.
Visit the emergency department for:
Severe allergic reactions
Infants needing immediate care
Infants with a fever less than 2 months old
Chest pain
Severe burns
Seizures
Serious eye or head injuries
Stroke symptoms
Severe abdominal pain
Broken bones
Rapid bleeding
Heart attack symptoms
High fevers
Breathing problems
Drug overdose or poisoning
Bad falls (for older adults)
MercyOne Emergency Care locations
Find the care you need, where you need it
Knowing where to go when you’re experiencing a health issue helps you get the right care at the right time and can impact your overall health. Understanding your different care options, PCP vs. urgent care vs. ED, can help you make the right choice when it matters most.
This blog was medically reviewed by a MercyOne Provider
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Skip to main content
Take Me To:
Close
In this section
Primary care vs. urgent care vs. emergency care: Where should I go?
July 8, 2025
Categories:
Wellness
Overview: Primary care vs. urgent care vs. emergency care, when should I go where? Are they all the same? Understanding the difference between these care options can help you make the right choice, so you or your loved one receives the best possible care.
Visiting your doctor, going to urgent care and heading to the emergency department can all seem similar, but choosing the right location is important in getting the care you need.
When to visit your doctor's office
You should see your primary care provider (PCP) for routine and non-urgent medical care. Your PCP partners with you to manage your overall health and serves as your first point of contact for your health care needs.
Contact your PCP today!
Visit your doctor's office for:
Routine well visits
Preventative care
Immunizations or shots
Chronic Care Management (diabetes, blood pressure)
Rashes
Cold and flu symptoms
Gastrointestinal issues
Minor injuries (sprains and strains)
Sore throat
Pink eye
Lower back pain
Animal or insect bite
Urinary tract infection
Pelvic wellness
Ear pain
MercyOne Primary Care location near you
When to visit urgent care
Urgent care is best for non-life-threatening issues that need immediate attention. Urgent care clinics often have evening and weekend hours when your primary care provider may not be available. And many accept walk-ins, making them a convenient option for timely care.
However, urgent care should not replace your PCP. If you visit urgent care for a condition that requires ongoing monitoring or referral to a specialist, it’s important to follow up with your PCP.
Visit an urgent care clinic for:
Injuries
Lacerations/stiches
Rashes
cold and flue symptoms
Sore throat
Pink eye
Lower back pain
Animal or insect bite
Urinary tract infection
Ear pain
Find a MercyOne Urgent Care clinic
When to visit an emergency department
For serious injuries or severe illness that may require hospitalization, head to the emergency department (ED). For any life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Unlike primary care or urgent care, the ED is open 24/7 and can handle a wide range of emergencies. While the ED is appropriate for acute care, it’s not for routine or non-urgent medical issues. Visiting the ED for minor conditions can lead to long wait times, higher medical costs and may take resources away from patients with true health emergencies.
Visit the emergency department for:
Severe allergic reactions
Infants needing immediate care
Infants with a fever less than 2 months old
Chest pain
Severe burns
Seizures
Serious eye or head injuries
Stroke symptoms
Severe abdominal pain
Broken bones
Rapid bleeding
Heart attack symptoms
High fevers
Breathing problems
Drug overdose or poisoning
Bad falls (for older adults)
MercyOne Emergency Care locations
Find the care you need, where you need it
Knowing where to go when you’re experiencing a health issue helps you get the right care at the right time and can impact your overall health. Understanding your different care options, PCP vs. urgent care vs. ED, can help you make the right choice when it matters most.
This blog was medically reviewed by a MercyOne Provider
Related News
Read article
Prevention
Is It the Flu or a Cold
Sniffles, cough, fever — these symptoms can look the same, but the cause might not be. Cold, flu and RSV are triggered by different viruses and knowing which one you’re dealing with can help you get the right care faster.
November 19, 2025
Read article
Read article
Wellness
Essentials for your first-aid kit from a trauma nurse
A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies. Here is a breakdown of best practices and essentials for your first-aid kit.First-aid kit basicsA f...
July 31, 2022
Read article
Read article
Wellness
Most common health care topics of 2024
Google’s Year in Review published the top searches of 2024. Our experts answer your most-searched health care questions and topics for the year. What does it mean if I have chest pain?Heart atta...
December 11, 2024
Read article
Schedule online
Find a service
Find a doctor
Find a location
Patient Portal
Join our team