If you've been injured on the playing field, your initial reaction might be to go straight to the emergency room. But before you make your way to the ER, you should evaluate your injury.

The emergency room is the best place to go if you have a serious injury, while an Urgent Care Center is most appropriate when your problem is not as severe. The following guidelines can help you determine if your injury warrants Emergency Room or Urgent Care attention.
  If you are having a life-threatening illness or injury, you will need to go to an emergency room.

Most patients whose injury or illness does not present a serious threat to their health will be able to receive appropriate and professional care at an urgent care center.

Emergency Room:
Here are some examples of emergency problems. Call 911 right away if you or someone else:
  • may be having a heart attack (chest pain)
  • may be having a stroke (sudden loss of the use of one side of the body and/or vision or speech problems)
  • May be in shock
  • Is unconscious or not able to awake
  • is having a very hard time breathing
  • may have a spinal cord/back injury
  • is not breathing or has no pulse
  • is bleeding severely
  • is suffering from being too hot or too cold
  • has a very severe headache
Urgent Care:
An urgent care center offers treatment for problems like:
  • sore throat
  • flu symptoms
  • ear ache
  • cuts that may require stitches
  • minor fractures and sprains
  • headache treatment
  • asthma treatment
  • minor sports injuries
Urgent care does not replace your regular doctor - but you can go there for non-emergencies if your doctor's office is closed.