Urgent care is for treating conditions that don’t require hospitalization but need prompt medical attention. This includes acute illnesses and minor wounds that are not likely to be immediately life-threatening.
Many patients find that their primary care providers cannot see them quickly enough to treat these conditions. Urgent care offers an alternative without the need to wait for an appointment.
If you have a more serious concern, like a head injury, a wound that is heavily bleeding, difficulty breathing, chest pain or severe abdominal pain, you should get to your nearest emergency room rather than urgent care.
If you need help managing a chronic condition, like diabetes, coronary artery disease, arthritis or asthma, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician or family doctor.