Urgent Care vs ER
Open 7 Days a Week | Serving Hilo since 2003 | Serving Kea`au since 2008 | On-Site X-Rays
When Should You Call 911 or Visit the Emergency Room?
Emergency Rooms have equipment that are NOT available at urgent care clinics to deal with medical emergencies and life threatening conditions such as heart attack, head injury, stroke, extreme allergic reactions, severe lacerations, severe bleeding, severe respiratory distress. Handling life-threatening situations, trauma, and often even surgical procedures are some of the scenarios emergency rooms will handle. ERs are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Most people choose urgent care in case of non emergency conditions, often similar situations for which you might see a primary care physician. Due to the challenging situation in Hawaii to get an immediate appointment with your overworked primary care physicians, most insurance companies refer you to an urgent care center. Rely on Hilo/Kea`au Urgent Care for quality urgent care when you need it.
GO TO ER IF:
Chest pains
Any symptoms relating to a heart attack, chest pain, or stroke
Constant vomiting
Continuous and excessive bleeding
Severe shortness of breath
Deep wounds
Weakness or paralysis of leg or arm
Head injuries, concussion
Unconsciousness
Anaphylactic symptoms from an allergic reaction
COME TO URGENT CARE IF:
Minor allergic reactions to foods, animals, or small bug bites
Minor lacerations
Flu and cold
Cough and sore throat
High fever
Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
Cuts and severe scrapes
Broken bones
Minor injuries and burns
Sports injuries
Non emergency injuries from an auto accident
Gout
Urgent Care vs. ER
Emergency rooms have the equipment and professionals to handle any medical situation. If you are experiencing an emergency we highly recommend going straight to an ER so that you can save critical life saving time as well as get the full amount of treatments that an urgent care would be unable to provide.
Visiting the emergency room can cost you up to five times as much or more as the same visit to an urgent care center
In case of non-life-threatening situations, a visit to the urgent care ensures that you receive appropriate and prompt care
Emergency rooms see patients based on triage, meaning the most serious situations are seen first. Wait times can take many many hours more than an Urgent Care. Hilo/Kea`au Urgent Care Center is a first come first serve clinic.
Making an informed decision depending on whether and when you need immediate medical care will help you choose wisely between an emergency room and urgent care. Call us today to learn more.