When Should You Go to Urgent Care vs ER?

Urgent care and emergency care serve distinct roles in the healthcare system. Urgent care centers are designed to treat non-life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention but do not pose an immediate risk to the patient’s life. These can include minor injuries, illnesses, or infections that need timely care, such as sprains, flu symptoms, or urinary tract infections. Urgent care centers typically offer extended hours and shorter wait times compared to emergency rooms.

Emergency care, on the other hand, is intended for severe or life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention from highly trained medical professionals. These conditions include heart attacks, strokes, severe trauma, breathing difficulties, or uncontrollable bleeding. Emergency rooms are equipped with advanced medical technology and specialists capable of handling complex and life-threatening emergencies.

At Physicians Now Urgent Care, we specialize in providing immediate care for non-life-threatening conditions. If you experience a minor injury, fever, or other urgent health concern, our team, led by Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, is here to provide prompt and compassionate care. For more serious conditions requiring emergency care, our clinic can help direct you to the appropriate facility.

A patient would typically visit urgent care when they are dealing with conditions that need immediate attention but are not life-threatening. For example, if someone has a mild to moderate sprain, a fever, or a sore throat, urgent care is a convenient and accessible option. These facilities are designed to provide quick care without the long wait times typically associated with emergency rooms, offering an ideal solution for non-emergency situations that still require professional medical attention.

On the other hand, if a patient experiences symptoms such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, a head injury with loss of consciousness, or severe abdominal pain, the emergency room is the appropriate place to seek immediate care. These symptoms may indicate serious conditions such as a heart attack, stroke, or severe trauma, and require specialized care and equipment that only an ER can provide. At Physicians Now Urgent Care, our skilled medical team is available to help with non-life-threatening medical issues that require timely attention.

Certain medical conditions and injuries require immediate attention to prevent serious consequences or save lives. Examples of emergencies include heart attacks, strokes, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, or sudden and intense chest pain. These conditions can rapidly worsen, so immediate intervention in an emergency room is necessary to increase the chances of survival and minimize long-term damage.

Injuries that require immediate medical attention include major fractures, head trauma, severe burns, or deep lacerations, especially those that involve significant blood loss or impaired function. These injuries can lead to complications such as infection, shock, or permanent disability if not treated quickly and effectively in an emergency setting.

At Physicians Now Urgent Care, we provide rapid, high-quality care for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. If you have a minor injury, fever, or flu symptoms, our team, led by Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, can offer immediate treatment. However, for life-threatening emergencies, we strongly urge you to seek care at an emergency room immediately.

Certain medical conditions and injuries require immediate attention to prevent serious consequences or save lives. Examples of emergencies include heart attacks, strokes, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, or sudden and intense chest pain. These conditions can rapidly worsen, so immediate intervention in an emergency room is necessary to increase the chances of survival and minimize long-term damage.

Injuries that require immediate medical attention include major fractures, head trauma, severe burns, or deep lacerations, especially those that involve significant blood loss or impaired function. These injuries can lead to complications such as infection, shock, or permanent disability if not treated quickly and effectively in an emergency setting.

At Physicians Now Urgent Care, we provide rapid, high-quality care for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. If you have a minor injury, fever, or flu symptoms, our team, led by Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, can offer immediate treatment. However, for life-threatening emergencies, we urge you to seek care at an emergency room right away.

Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, is a highly skilled and compassionate physician at Physicians Now Urgent Care, dedicated to providing prompt and effective care for non-life-threatening conditions. With years of experience in urgent care, Dr. Olisemeka offers a patient-centered approach, ensuring that each individual receives personalized treatment tailored to their specific needs. His extensive background in managing a wide range of medical concerns—from mild injuries to infections—ensures that patients receive the highest level of care promptly.

In addition to his medical expertise, Dr. Olisemeka is committed to making healthcare as accessible as possible. At Physicians Now Urgent Care, he takes the time to thoroughly explain diagnoses and treatment options, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health. Whether you’re dealing with a fever, sprain, or mild illness, Dr. Olisemeka’s approach ensures you get the right care when you need it most, without the long wait times of an emergency room.

Contact us today for more information. Our urgent care is conveniently located at 15215 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. We serve patients from Rockville MD, Travilah MD, Lone Oak MD, Colesville Park MD, Redland MD, Darnestown MD, Anscroft MD, and Wheaton-Glenmont MD.