Explore Urgent & Emergency CareUrgent Care vs ER
If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 right away.
Urgent Care or the Emergency Department?
When you need immediate care, finding the right provider to diagnose, treat, and meet your needs is crucial. Know when to choose urgent care and when to go to the emergency department to receive the right care when and where you need it most.
Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room – Making the Right Choice
When you have a sudden health concern, you may wonder where to go for medical assistance. Our goal is to make this decision as straightforward as possible. If you’re ever in doubt, remember that urgent care is designed for efficiency and promptness, while the ER sees patients with more severe cases who may need specialized care—stroke, heart attack, seizures, and other life-threatening medical situations.
Urgent Care: Quick Solutions for Minor Illnesses and Injuries
Life is full of unexpected twists, including those pesky minor health issues that can disrupt your day. That’s where UConn Health’s Urgent Care steps in – providing efficient and timely care for those situations that need attention but aren’t emergencies.
When to choose urgent care:
- Common cold and flu symptoms
When you feel under the weather with symptoms like a runny nose, cough, or mild fever, urgent care can help. Our expert teams can provide relief and guide you in managing your symptoms. - Minor injuries
Minor cuts, burns, sprains, and strains—urgent care is equipped to handle a range of injuries that require immediate attention without the need for a visit to the emergency room. - Infections
If you are fighting a mild infection like a minor skin infection or urinary tract infection, Urgent Care is prepared to diagnose, prescribe treatments, and get you on a path to recovery quicker. - Non-severe allergic reactions
Providers in urgent care settings can help you identify and treat mild allergic reactions such as rashes, swelling, or other minor allergy symptoms. They’ll get you the appropriate care and advice for relief.
Get more information about the care we provide at our Urgent Care clinics.
- Common cold and flu symptoms
Emergency Room: Swift Action for Serious Health Situations
Life can take unexpected turns, and in serious medical situations, every minute matters. UConn Health’s emergency medical services and providers are ready to offer immediate care in the most critical moments.
When to choose the emergency room:
- Severe chest pain and shortness of breath
These symptoms could indicate serious heart or respiratory issues. If you ever experience sudden and severe chest pain or difficulty breathing, get to the ER to understand the cause. - Serious Accidents and injuries
If you have a severe accident, head injury, deep wound, fractures, or broken bones, the ER has more advanced resources and expertise that are crucial for comprehensive care. - Anaphylactic allergic reactions
If you have an intense allergic reaction or experience anaphylaxis, characterized by difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, or a rapid drop in blood pressure, seek immediate help in the ER. - Persistent seizures
If you or a loved one experiences prolonged, persistent seizures, seek emergency medical services to identify the cause and find treatment from our experts and specialists.
Get more information about the care we provide at our Emergency Department.
- Severe chest pain and shortness of breath
Unparalleled Continuity of Care
UConn Health providers are the backbone of our urgent and emergency care settings, working seamlessly across both settings. With open communication between our providers, your medical history and needs are relayed promptly. You’ll experience the same high-quality care throughout your journey, from the moment you step through our doors to the time you leave.