Not sure when to go to an Emergency Room (ER) or urgent care?
What you need to know about each form of care so you can act quickly should a medical emergency arise.
While nobody plans to have a medical emergency, it's important to know where to go in case one does occur.
As the largest network of hospitals and physician practices in the Kansas City region, we make it easy for you to access advanced, personalized care when and where you need it most.
Our urgent care clinics, emergency room (ER), and primary care are all different types of medical facilities that provide unique levels of care.
For minor injuries and illnesses, urgent care clinics or primary care can be a better choice than an ER. However, if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, the ER is usually the best option.
What is the difference between an urgent care and an emergency room?
Our urgent care clinics treat non-emergent medical problems that can develop unexpectedly and require immediate attention, filling the gap between primary care physicians and hospital emergency rooms.
The ER, on the other hand, is designed to provide emergency care for serious and life-threatening conditions. They're equipped to handle serious injuries, heart attacks, strokes, and other critical medical conditions. Our emergency rooms are open 24/7 and you can feel comfortable knowing that our physicians and nurses are specialists in emergency medicine.
If you are unsure whether a symptom requires emergency or urgent care, our Consult-a-Nurse® line is available 24/7 at 844.70.NURSE.
Should I go to urgent care or the emergency room?
For less severe illnesses and injuries that don’t require emergency treatment, urgent care clinics may be the better option. Our urgent care clinics treat non-emergent medical problems that can develop unexpectedly and require immediate attention, filling the gap between primary care physicians and hospital emergency rooms.
Our network of urgent care clinics treats a wide range of medical issues, with care provided by trained specialists. Common reasons to visit an urgent care clinic might include:
- Acid reflux
- Bug bites or stings
- Burns (minor)
- Cold or flu symptoms
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Cuts or wounds
- Ear infections
- Earaches
- Eczema
- Fevers
- Migraines
- Rashes or hives
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Sore throat or strep throat
- Sprains or strains
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Warts
In addition to treatments for minor injuries and illnesses, we also offer other services that include:
- Immigration physicals
- Immunizations
- Medical tests
- Occupational medicine
It’s important that you seek out the appropriate care setting based on the severity of your needs. Find an emergency room near you.
What is a freestanding emergency room?
At HCA Midwest Health, each freestanding emergency room (FSER) serves as an extension of an HCA Midwest Health hospital. They are staffed by board-certified emergency room physicians and nurses with experience treating emergent injuries and serious medical conditions. HCA Midwest Health FSERs are subject to the same licensing and operational requirements as acute care facilities.
When you need a facility that is open 24/7 and offers a higher level of care to deal with an emergency situation, a hospital-owned and operated emergency room is your best option for a number of reasons. While FSERs are structurally separate from hospitals, they are capable of delivering emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What is the difference between urgent care and primary care?
Urgent care is typically used for more immediate, short-term needs, while primary care is for ongoing, long-term health management.
A primary care physician (PCP) is a general practitioner who acts as the initial point of contact for your healthcare needs.
They're often a long-term healthcare provider, as patients typically remain with the same PCP for a significant portion of their adult lives unless they move or change insurance plans.
Getting established with a PCP is a must for getting yearly checkups, preventive screenings and staying on top of any ongoing medical conditions.
Find an HCA Midwest Health physician near you using our Find a Doctor search tool.