Emergency vs. Urgent Care?
Many patients wonder when to turn to the emergency department for care, versus when to visit an urgent care centre. The guideline below provides a helpful breakdown of what types of patients St. Joseph’s Healthcare serves at our Emergency Department at our Charlton Campus versus our Urgent Care Centre located at our King Campus.When to visit an emergency room:
- Severe bleeding
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or pressure
- Broken bones
- Partial or total amputation of a limb
- Trauma or injury to the head
- Sudden dizziness or difficulty seeing
- Severe abdominal pain
When to visit an urgent care facility:
- Lacerations – deep cuts or wounds that may require stitches
- Sprains, strains, or deep bruises
- Mild to moderate asthma attacks
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Upper respiratory infections
- Coughs and congestion
- Diarrhea
- Sore throats
- Insect bites
- Rashes