Often we face some medical health problems and we ask ourselves would we go to an urgent care or an emergency room? This is our recommended road map..!!
Medical Complaint
Headache
Urgent Care and walk-in clinic
Most headaches including Migraines can be evaluated and treated in the urgent care except when there is a red flag
If you have those symptoms, visit Medical Care 1 in Ypsilanti. No appointments needed.
ER
The red flags that require ER evaluation are:
High fever with stiff neck
High blood pressure
Worst headache 10/10
Abrupt onset severe headache (Thunder clap)
Stroke symptoms (new numbness or weakness)
Head injury
Loss of or altered consciousness
Patient is taking blood thinners
Headache is worse with exertion
Deterioration or worsening of usual known headache
Headache with fever and tender scalp vessels
Headache with blurred vision
Head Injury Complaint
Urgent Care
Minor head injury
No loss of consciousness
Minimal headache
No neurological deficit
ER
All non minor head injuries should be evaluated in ER.
Head CT is indicated for:
Serious mechanism of injury
Any of the following symptoms:
Severe Headache
Vomiting
Seizure
New numbness or weakness
Blurred vision
Drowsiness
Short memory deficit
Physical evidence of serious injury
Age over 60
Abnormal neuro exam
On Narcotics or drinking Alcohol
Taking blood thinners
Eye Complaints
Urgent Care
Most acute eye problems can be screened, evaluated and treated in urgent care with the option to refer to the eye doctor if deemed necessary
ER
Any patient with acute eye problem experiencing severe pain or blurred vision should be evaluated by the eye doctor or ER
Head Congestion Complaint
Urgent Care
All of the head congestion causes can be evaluated in the urgent care setting
Including:
Colds
Allergies
Sinus infections
ER
Throat and Ear problems
Urgent Care
Almost all ear and throat problems can be evaluated and treated in the urgent care setting
ER
Severe throat infection causing peri tonsillar abscess
Severe Otitis Externa (malignant) that extends to the bone in a patient with weaker immune system
And other rare causes
Chest Pain
Urgent Care
Most chest pains can be evaluated in urgent care setting except when there are red flags
ER
The red flags requiring ER evaluation are:
Elderly patients
Patient with multiple medical conditions
Patient with history of heart disease
Unstable vitals: high or low blood pressure, rapid or slow heart beat
Significant symptoms:
Severe chest pain
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Sweating
Coughing up blood
Sudden chest pain shooting to upper back in a smoker with high blood pressure
Shortness of Breath
Urgent Care
Most mild breathing problems can be evaluated in the urgent care setting including asthma and COPD exacerbation in addition to mild pneumonia
ER
You should go to ER if you have:
Severe trouble breathing
Coughing up blood
Elderly
Multiple medical conditions
Chest pain
Swelling in throat
Dizziness
Gradually worsening trouble breathing
Exposed to Corona Virus
Cough
Urgent Care
Most of the cough can be evaluated in the urgent care setting
ER
Go to ER if you have the above red flags listed with shortness of breath
Abdominal Pain
Urgent Care
Almost all abdominal pain initial evaluation can be done in the urgent care settings unless there is a red flag
ER
The red flags that require ER evaluation are:
Severe or worsening persistent pain
High fever
Unable to pass gas or have a BM
Nausea and vomiting leading to dehydration
Passing blood in stools
Elderly
Immunosuppressed
Having multiple chronic medical conditions
If you are pregnant
If you have abdominal wall or groin bulging or hernia
Severe kidney infection with fever and vomiting
If you have testicular swelling or pain
UTIs and STDs
Urgent Care
Almost all urine tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases can be adequately evaluated and treated in the urgent care setting
ER
Please go to ER if you have:
Severe Kidney infection (fever, back pain and vomiting)
You are pregnant
You are elderly
You have multiple medical conditions
You are not improving or getting worse after initial treatment
Back, Neck and joints Pain
Urgent Care
Almost all back, Neck and joints pain can be evaluated and treatment can be started in the urgent care setting and if it is related to trauma proper evaluation including taking X-Rays can be started
ER
Please go to ER if you have:
Neck or back pain associated with:
Numbness or weakness in arms or legs
Incontinent to urine or stool
Possible joint infection
Unexplained sudden arms or shoulders pain in patient with risk factors for heart disease
Back pain with chest or abdomen pain
Pain is not affected by movement of the affected part