Community Health: Urgent Care or Emergency Room?

As part of our community health partnership with Valley Health, this month we discuss when you should visit an Urgent Care, an Urgent Care Express, or the Emergency Room. Our conversation with Dr. Vanessa Banks, Medical Director for the Southern Region for Valley Health Urgent Care systems, and Kristy Shannon, Senior Director of Urgent Care for Valley Health focuses on differentiating between when to visit an urgent care center and when an emergency room visit is necessary. Dr. Banks and Kristy explain what constitutes urgent care services. They discuss the operational hours, facilities, and types of treatments available at Valley Health's Urgent Care locations compared to their Urgent Care Express locations. Dr. Banks provides insight into what an emergency room visit entails and shares her background in emergency medicine. They both emphasize that common ailments like mild dehydration, vertigo, minor fractures, and less severe injuries can be efficiently treated at urgent care centers. They explain some common scenarios where patients might be confused about whether to visit an emergency room or urgent care center. They discuss how urgent care can be a faster and sometimes more suitable option for non-life-threatening issues. Kristy explains the convenience of making online reservations for urgent care to save time. Throughout the conversation, both guests share real-life examples, outlining cases that should immediately go to the emergency room, such as severe chest pain, significant bleeding, or major fractures. Dr. Banks notes the importance of addressing symptoms early to avoid complications and explains the significance of certain diagnostic capabilities, like EKGs and blood tests, which are typically beyond the urgent care scope. The conversation wraps up with Kristy informing listeners about the availability of virtual urgent care services, which provide another convenient option for non-critical health consultations. Dr. Banks encourages listeners to utilize urgent care services when appropriate and not to hesitate to seek professional medical advice when needed. To hear more conversations in our Community Health series, click here.