Urgent Care vs. Emergency Department

Urgent Care and Emergency Services in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

Illnesses and injuries often occur without warning. Some can’t wait for an appointment with the primary care provider or specialist you usually see. UMass Memorial Health makes it easier to receive the services you need when you need them.

Selecting the right setting for your needs makes it easier to access prompt services that help you feel better quickly:

• Emergency departments handle the most severe medical issues, including life- or limb-threatening conditions. Services are available 24/7.
• Urgent care clinics are for non-emergencies that need to be seen on the same day. Services are available without an appointment in locations across the region.

You’ll find compassionate, highly skilled providers ready to help you at all locations. Read on to learn when to go to urgent care vs. the emergency department.

When to Go to Urgent Care 

Urgent care is for pressing medical needs that can’t wait for an appointment with your primary care provider or specialist. Our urgent care clinics give you easy access to additional diagnostic services such as X-rays and labs. We perform complete evaluations that help us quickly diagnose common issues so you can start treatment as soon as possible.

Consider going to urgent care for: 

• Abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea  
• Bites and stings
• Earache
• Headaches that are not severe
• Low back pain
• Minor cuts and burns
• Minor rash
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis) and other eye discomfort
• Sore throat, common cold and flu (influenza) symptoms
• Sports injuries, such as sprains, strains and dislocations

When to Go to the Emergency Department

Medical conditions that appear life-threatening or need immediate treatment require a higher level of service. Rapid assessments for these issues are available in our emergency department, where you also have access to teams of specialists and advanced therapies.

Conditions we evaluate and treat in the emergency department include:

• Broken bones (fractures)
• Chest pain
• Choking
• Difficulty breathing
• Fainting (syncope) or unconsciousness
• Heavy bleeding
• Inability to move or speak
• Poisoning or overdose
• Severe burns
• Stroke-like symptoms, such as sudden confusion or severe headache
  Thoughts of harm to yourself or others

For some emergencies, it’s best to call 911 instead of driving yourself to the hospital. Emergency medical services (EMS) providers come to you and may immediately start communicating with the hospital about your needs. This approach helps our team prepare so you can start receiving services upon arrival.