From weekend sports injuries to sudden back strain while on the job, accidents happen. They don’t always wait for 9 to 5, and your doctor isn’t always able to see you right away. However, you know you still need attention by a doctor. So what do you do? Is it serious enough to go to the hospital? It’s tough to know if you should head to the ER and wait for hours, or try your local urgent care in Dearborn or Pontiac.
First, it’s important to understand what qualifies as a non-life-threatening injury so you can save yourself time, money, and unnecessary stress.
“Non-Life-Threatening”: Defined
A non-life-threatening injury is any condition that requires medical attention but does not pose an immediate risk to your life, long-term health, or major body functions. Basically, if you can move, breathe, and function without severe pain or heavy bleeding, you can probably head to an urgent care center to get your injuries safely and efficiently treated. Plus, you don’t have to wait very long like you would at a crowded hospital ER or shell out a lot of money to be seen.
Heading to Urgent Care: 6 Common Non-Life-Threatening Injuries
Here’s a look at some common injuries that can be treated in an urgent care setting:
- Sprains and Strains: Twisted ankles, pulled muscles, and minor ligament injuries can be treated at urgent care, where board-certified doctors will assess range of motion, fit you for braces or wraps, and recommend next steps.
- Cuts and Lacerations: If you have wounds that are bleeding but that can be controlled with pressure, doctors in urgent care can clean, stitch, or bandage the injury to keep infection at bay.
- Minor Fractures and Dislocations: Small bone fractures or dislocated fingers and shoulders can be x-rayed on site to provide immediate diagnoses and stabilization.
- Burns (First and Some Second Degree): If you have experienced a minor kitchen or workplace burn, your local urgent care can help with cleaning and dressing the wound.
- Bruises and Contusions: After a fall, often severe bruising or swelling may occur, indicating soft-tissue damage or a small fracture that doctors can evaluate and treat.
- Minor Head Injuries: A bump to the head that leaves you alert with no loss of consciousness, vomiting, or confusion can be treated at urgent care for mild concussion evaluation.
When is the ER a Better Choice?
Urgent care is great in a variety of situations, but it’s not always the best choice for certain medical emergencies. In these cases, calling 911 or getting immediate hospital care is the better course of action. Go the ER or call 911 if you have:
- Difficulty breathing
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Chest pain or pressure
- Major fractures (bone sticking out or deformed limb)
- Severe burns or deep wounds
- Severe abdominal pain or signs of internal bleeding
- Head injuries with confusion, vomiting, or loss of consciousness
If you’re not sure, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. That being said, most mild to moderate injuries can be addressed in an urgent care setting without the hassle of a long wait. Oftentimes, urgent care centers bridge the gap between your primary care doctor and the emergency room.
In the end, knowing where to go after an injury can make a big difference in your recovery. If your injury is painful but not life-threatening — and you can safely make it to the clinic — Specialty Urgent Care can quickly diagnose and treat your injury, and provide follow-up instructions so you can get back to your life.
Contact Specialty Urgent Care
If you have a mild to moderate injury that needs attention by a board-certified doctor, walk in today to ourDearborn or Pontiac locations, or call ahead for more information on wait times, insurance, or anything else.