If you’re not feeling well or you’ve had an accident, should you head to the ER, an urgent care clinic, or call your primary care doctor?  

Knowing when and where to get the care you need can help you get help fast while saving money. Treatment at a hospital ER is typically the most expensive option, and depending on your condition, you may have to wait hours to get the help you need. 

Learn more about your options and how to choose the right place to get medical care. 

Know when to go to the ER  

“ACT FAST” is a helpful mnemonic guide for the sorts of conditions that call for a trip to the ER, said Dr. Robert Lam, who specializes in emergency medicine at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, the only Level I trauma center in southern Colorado. 

He advises people to call 911 or go directly to an ER for any of these reasons: 

A = Accident. Serious injuries, broken bones or severe bleeding 

C = Chest pain. Could signal a heart attack or other serious cause. Don’t delay 

T = Trouble breathing. Asthma, an allergic reaction, or poisoning 

F = Fainting. Dizziness, fainting, sudden weakness could indicate a stroke 

A = Allergic reaction with swelling or trouble breathing. Reactions to bee and insect stings, or medication and food could be causes 

S = Sudden. Any condition that comes on quickly, including sudden weakness or confusion 

T = Time sensitive. Things like strokes and heart attacks need immediate care 

“If you’re in an ACT FAST category, those are good reasons to come to the Emergency Department,” said Lam, who is also an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.  

“We all regret when a patient sits at home and doesn’t get emergency care when they need it. That’s a missed opportunity to provide care and get to the best outcome,” Lam said. 

Strokes offer a good example, he said. A stroke that is treated in the first four hours after the symptoms emerge calls for a different treatment than one that began two days ago, and better outcomes are likely, Lam said. 

At the same time, an ER is not the right place to go for help with routine medical concerns. Doctors and nurses care for the most critically injured patients first, a practice called “triaging.”  

ERs are not “first-come, first-served” facilities, Lam said.  

“We prioritize care based on how critically ill the person is.”  

Showing up with a condition that can be treated elsewhere can drain resources for those who really need them.  

Urgent Care providers can help with things that can’t wait  

Urgent care clinics treat sprains, minor infections and other complaints that need attention quickly but aren’t life-threatening.  

Providers at urgent care often can help patients more quickly than doctors at a hospital ER. Many have extended hours, so they’re often open on evenings and weekends when your primary care clinic is closed. Some urgent care clinics offer X-ray and lab services, while others do not. It can help to call ahead. 

Primary care providers help with preventive care and handle long-term health issues 

Your primary care provider should be a key partner in keeping you healthy and helping you stay on top of routine issues like vaccinations and health screenings. 

Create a strong relationship with your primary care provider and schedule regular checkups. The better your primary care doctor or provider knows you, the healthier you are likely to be. And if you get sick with a case of the flu or you need a refill on a medication, you can call your doctor’s office for help. 

Primary care clinics are not the best place to get help for an emergency, and if you show up with one, a nurse or medical assistant is likely to send you to urgent care or the ER. 

If you’re not sure where to go, you can call your doctor’s office for guidance. Many large health care systems also have specially-trained triage nurses who will talk to you about your symptoms and help you make the right decision about the best place to get medical care. 

Video appointments and Virtual Urgent Care can be an option  

Access to see doctors online expanded greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Video visits enable patients to connect directly with a medical provider using a computer, tablet, smart phone or other electronic device, through secure video connections.  

And if you have an urgent medical issue, a Virtual Urgent Care visit can be a convenient, affordable option.  Online visits are also a great alternative for people who don’t live near a hospital or an urgent care clinic or who don’t have transportation. But if you have had an accident or an ACT FAST situation, they’re likely to send you to an ER. 

Be wary about using search engines or AI to diagnose yourself

Many people use “Dr. Google” or Artificial Intelligence (AI) to learn more about medical conditions and treatment. You can find some good, general health information online, but be sure you are getting information from legitimate health experts. Lam advises against using AI to research an acute condition, determine a diagnosis or replace regular care. And beware of misinformation, which is rampant on social media. 

“AI can be the basis for medical knowledge, but it needs to be balanced against other sources and fact-checked,” Lam said. “AI doesn’t substitute for seeing a clinician in person.” 

When in doubt, don’t wait. Call your doctor, a nurse line or head to urgent care or the ER.