When to go to the emergency department vs. urgent care clinic
Every illness and injury is different. Avoid long wait times by knowing where to go when you’re dealing with a health problem.
March 14, 2025
Approximately 95,000 patients visit VCU Medical Center’s emergency department each year. (Enterprise Marketing and Communications)
By Sara McCloskey
Is there a walk-in clinic open? Should I call an ambulance?
When you or a loved one are sick or injured, it's sometimes tough to know where to go for help.
As leaders in emergency, trauma, stroke, and cardiovasular care in Central Virginia, VCU Health’s team of medical professionals are experts in a wide variety of patient needs, including car crash injuries, strokes and heart attacks, as well as burn and traumatic injuries.
While we are always ready to help, there some medical concerns that might not need to be treated as urgently or can wait a day for a doctor's appointment.
If people with non-urgent medical needs head to an emergency department, also known as an ED, emergency room, or ER, they may have longer wait times. That’s because, at VCU Medical Center, the sickest and most severely injured people are treated first.
VCU Health experts share how you can tell if you need to go to the emergency department or urgent care clinic.
When should I go to the emergency department (ED)?
You should head to the ED or call 911 if you are experiencing a true emergency that requires immediate attention – life-threatening injuries or medical issues that could cause permanent disability.
Emergency departments are equipped to handle more serious, complex treatments, such as procedures requiring sedation, IV fluids, or special equipment.
You should consider going to your closest ED if you have:
- Burns with blisters
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Head injuries, especially if the individual is on blood thinners or has a severe headache
- Sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), difficulty speaking, or vision problems
- Uncontrolled bleeding
Emergency departments are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. VCU Medical Center has the only comprehensive Level I trauma center in the region verified in adult, pediatric and burn trauma care – meaning our team can provide comprehensive, specialized care for severely injured patients.
When should I go to an urgent care clinic?
Going to an urgent care or walk-in clinic is best when you’re sick or have a non-life-threatening injury.
Some examples include:
- Allergies
- Animal or insect bites
- Cold or flu symptoms, including cough and sore throat
- Minor burns without blisters
- Minor fractures
- Small cuts that may need stitches
- Vomiting
Wait times for clinics tend to be shorter than EDs, however, these clinics may operate on different business hours depending on the weekend or holidays.
What should I do if I am not sure where to get care based on my symptoms?
Ask your primary care provider where to get care based on your medical issues. If you or a loved one has a medical emergency, go to your nearest ED or call 911.
