ER or Urgent Care? How to Know Where to Go
Not sure whether to go to urgent care or the ER? Knowing the difference can save time — and lives.
By
Lana Pine
| Published on December 18, 2025
2 min read
Knowing where to seek medical care can make a critical difference when someone becomes sick or injured. Maria Escarcia, D.O., an emergency medicine physician with Baptist Health South Florida, explains the key differences between emergency rooms (ERs) and urgent care centers and how patients can decide which option is right for their situation.
ERs are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are designed to manage life-threatening medical conditions. They are fully equipped with advanced imaging, laboratory testing and access to specialists who can be consulted immediately. ERs can also admit patients to the hospital or send them directly to surgery if needed. These resources make the ER the right choice for serious or rapidly worsening symptoms that require immediate attention.
Urgent care centers, on the other hand, are intended for medical concerns that need to be addressed quickly but are not believed to be life-threatening. Escarcia notes that urgent care is a good option when someone cannot wait several days to see their primary care provider but does not feel they are experiencing a medical emergency. Common reasons to visit urgent care include minor injuries such as sprains or small cuts that may need stitches, flu-like symptoms and concerns like a possible urinary tract infection.
Escarcia stresses that certain warning signs should always prompt a visit to the ER — or a call to 911. These include symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, walking or seeing. Other emergencies include seizures, severe allergic reactions involving swelling of the lips or throat, and any condition that feels sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening.
When in doubt, Escarcia advises erring on the side of caution and choosing the ER. In many serious conditions, timing is critical, and delays in diagnosis or treatment can lead to worse outcomes. Trusting your instincts and seeking prompt care can be lifesaving.
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