Urgent Care or the Emergency Department? A Resource to Help Your Patients and Families

Urgent Care or the Emergency Department? A Resource to Help Your Patients and Families

Due to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), we are unable to guide parents once they arrive as to whether their child’s medical need is suitable for urgent care or if it is emergent. Share this guide with caregivers to help them determine the appropriate care location for their child. You can also download this guide and share this as a resource for your patients and families. 

Urgent care or emergency care? 

Urgent care

  • Allergies or allergic symptoms 
  • Asthma flare, not severe
  • Belly, stomach pain (mild)
  • Breathing trouble from stuffy nose, not severe 
  • Bloody nose with no significant facial injury 
  • Broken bone, possible X-ray may be needed 
  • Burns (minor) 
  • Cuts (small, that may require stitches)
  • Diarrhea, acting well 
  • Fainting, but acting normal
  • Fever in children more than 60 days old without other concerns 
  • Headaches (mild)
  • Head injury if behaving normally 
  • Insect bite or sting 
  • Pain with urination 
  • Swallowed objects with no trouble breathing

Emergency care 

  • Allergic reaction — severe with trouble breathing or vomiting
  • Asthma flare, moderate to severe
  • Belly, stomach pain (severe or constant)
  • Breathing trouble, moderate to severe
  • Bloody nose from signifi cant facial injury
  • Broken bone, with abnormal shape or a break in skin
  • Burns (large or deep, involving eyes, or due to chemicals or electricity)
  • Cuts that are large or deep or in a worrisome location like eye, outer lip line for discussion
  • Diarrhea, with concern for dehydration (dry mouth, decrease urine, not making tears)
  • Fainting, with abnormal behavior
  • Fever in children younger than 60 days old
  • Headache (severe or prolonged)
  • Head injury with persistent repeated vomiting or change in behavior
  • Insect bite or sting with trouble breathing
  • Painful testicle/scrotum
  • Swallowed button battery or any swallowed object causing trouble breathing

Additional Reasons for Visit

Urgent care

  • Cold with congestion and stuffiness
  • Ear pain or tugging
  • Pink eye
  • Rash or skin irritation
  • Sinus symptoms
  • Sore throat

Emergency care

  • Concern for abuse or neglect
  • Ingestions
  • Weakness, numbness, vision loss, trouble speaking
  • or altered awareness
  • Object stuck in nose, ear, skin or eye
  • Seizures