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Urgent Care Facilities NOT Substitutes for ERs

Summary: Do you know when you should be going to the ER? Perhaps your medical emergency is best suited for a free-standing or urgent care center?
Air Date: 12/6/13
Duration: 10
Host: Dr. Leigh Vinocur, MD
Guest Bio: Henry Higgins, MD
Dr Henry Higgins has been a full-time emergency physician since 1997 after graduating from West Virginia University Medical School and Residency programs. He has been the Medical director of several emergency departments as well as the Medical Director of Midlevel providers. He has worked in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Texas. He has practiced in Texas since 2003 primarily in a major trauma center. He is currently the owner of the Cedar Park Emergency Center in Greater Austin, Texas, and founder of the Journal of Freestanding Emergency Medicine.
Urgent Care Facilities NOT Substitutes for ERs
Do you know the difference between an Emergency Room and an Urgent Care Center? Unfortunately, many individuals do not.

Many people may be flocking to Urgent Care Centers to get treated for emergencies because the news about ER overcrowding and related problems. But this can be very dangerous; even life threatening.

Urgent Care Centers are categorized as a type of walk-in clinic focused on the delivery of ambulatory care. They primarily treat injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but that are not considered serious or life-threatening.

Dr. Henry Higgins joins Dr. Leigh to help clear the confusion between these important medical facilities. He discusses when you should go to an emergency room rather than a free-standing clinic.