When to Go to Urgent Care vs the Emergency Room

How to choose between Urgent Care vs. the Hospital

When to Visit Urgent Care

Urgent care clinics like Southwest Family provide immediate walk-in treatment for many illnesses and injuries when your primary care doctor is unavailable. You can get treatment for:

Sprains, strains, and minor broken bones or auto accident injuries
Back Injuries
Minor cuts, burns, rashes and skin infections
Flu, colds, strep/sore throat, respiratory infections
Earaches, eye infections, sinus pain
Urinary tract infections
Low grade fevers and vomiting
Covid-19 Testing

We provide many onsite services like X-rays, lab tests, and IV fluids. The convenience, short wait times, and lower costs make them ideal for non-life threatening medical issues.

When to Visit the ER

Emergency rooms are best equipped to handle severe, critical situations including:

Heart attack or stroke symptoms
Significant head injury
Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
Major broken bones
High fever with stiff neck, confusion or difficulty breathing
Coughing up or vomiting blood
Suicidal thoughts or psychosis
Poisoning
Severe cuts or burns
Complications of pregnancy

Assessing Your Situation

Consider the severity, symptoms, and risks to determine whether urgent care or the ER is right for you. Here are some key points:

Urgent care for sprains, minor cuts, rashes, flu etc.
ER for severe bleeding, breathing issues, mental confusion, high fever etc.
Urgent care if you need quick care but it’s not an emergency
ER if you have severe pain, trauma, or symptoms that require intensive treatment

When in doubt, call your doctor or us first to evaluate your options. But don’t hesitate to call 911 or go to the closest ER if you think you may have a medical emergency.

Schedule Your Appointment

Thank you for using our online form. We will follow up with you to confirm your appointment.

Requesting Treatment For

Date of Birth

Date

Time

Note: Date/Time above are not guaranteed, you will receive a call or text to confirm your appointment time.

Walk-In's Accepted For Immediate Care*

2919 S Ellsworth Rd #101
Mesa, AZ 85212

(480) 660-4012

Mon - Thu
8AM - 5:00PM (Fri: 8AM - 12PM)

*Scheduled appointments take precedence – walk-ins will be seen in order and as promptly as possible. In case of life threatening emergency dial 911.