Ear pain, sore throats, the cold and flu, minor burns and cuts. For some children, childhood is marked by more than just a few visits to the local emergency room or urgent care clinic. Invariably, like Murphy's Law, it seems that your child is sick or injured when your pediatrician's office is close. Parents are left asking whether to head to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic.
Urgent care clinics are for illnesses and injuries that your child normally would receive care for at his or her doctor’s offices. Most often, urgent care locations are open when regular doctor’s offices are closed. In many cases, urgent care clinics will offer lower co-pays and shorter wait times than emergency rooms.
Your child may need urgent care for:
• Ear infections with pain and/or fever.
• Sore or strep throat.
• Cold or the flu.
• Mild asthma attacks
• Vomiting and diarrhea, especially in babies and small children.
• Non-severe bleeding.
• Minor burns or cuts.
• Minor head injury with no loss of consciousness.
• Hives, rash or diaper rash.
• Bruises or sprains.
• Lice, scabies or ringworm.
• Drug reactions such as hives or rashes.
The emergency room is for more serious illnesses and injuries. Emergency rooms are equipped to care for all patients, from those with minor illnesses to those with life-threatening injuries. Because of this, patients with a less severe problem usually will have to wait – sometimes hours – until the more critically ill patients are treated. For appropriate cases, urgent care clinics have shorter wait times.
Your child may need emergency care for:
• Serious broken bones, such as the leg or arm.
• Gun or knife wounds.
• Severe or unusual bleeding that will not stop.
• Heart attack or severe chest pain.
• Suspected stroke.
• Sudden inability to see, move or speak.
• Choking or trouble breathing.
• Possible poisoning.
• Unconsciousness.
• Fainting or syncope.
• Convulsions or prolonged, repeated seizures.
• Drug overdose.
• Major injuries.
• Severe pain.
Unfortunately, some childhood injuries and illnesses may require more immediate care. In emergencies, always call 9-1-1 for the most immediate care.
While arming yourself with information is one of the best things you can do as a parent, remember to trust your instincts. You know your child best.
For more information about Children’s Urgent Care locations call (414) 266-4800. For more information about the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Emergency Department, call (414) 266-2000.
FAST FACT: Children's Hospital of Wisconsin had more than 61,000 visits to its Emergency Department and six Children's Urgent Care sites last year.
Jane Chevako, MD, is the medical director of Children’s Urgent Care.