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A sudden injury or illness can throw your day into chaos. But where do you go for help? Understanding the difference between urgent care and the ER can save you time, money, and stress. Both urgent care and emergency rooms (ERs) provide vital services, but they cater to different levels of need. At Welia Health, we aim to help you make informed healthcare decisions. Let’s clarify the distinctions between urgent care and ER services and how to access them.
When to choose Urgent Care
Prompt care for non-life-threatening issues
Urgent care is ideal for medical conditions requiring quick attention but not severe enough for the ER. These are often issues you’d address with your primary care provider, but need treatment outside regular hours or when your provider is unavailable.
Common conditions treated at Urgent Care include:
- Sprains and strains
- Minor cuts and wounds that need stitches
- Minor burns
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Ear infections
- Sore throat or strep throat
- High fever
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Minor injuries that don’t require immediate ER attention
Welia Health Urgent Care in Pine City
Located at 1425 Main St N, Pine City, MN 55063, our Urgent Care offers walk-in services for patients three months and older. It is a cost-effective alternative to the ER for non-life-threatening conditions. During high-volume periods, we may implement triage-only visits to ensure timely care for all patients.
Urgent care will be expanding their hours beginning May 5. Patients will be seen from 7 AM–7 PM Monday through Friday and from 9 AM–7 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Please note that Welia Health Urgent Care has limitations.
- We do not treat children under three months of age.
- Adults over 65 are advised to seek care at the Emergency Room due to the potential complexity of geriatric medical conditions.
- Urgent Care has limited access to advanced imaging, such as CT scans and ultrasounds compared to the ER.
When to choose the Emergency Room (ER)
Immediate care for serious and life-threatening situations
Welia Health’s ER is equipped to handle critical and life-threatening conditions requiring immediate medical attention.
Seek emergency care or call 911 for:
- Chest pain or pressure (possible heart attack)
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (severe respiratory issue)
- Uncontrolled bleeding (doesn’t stop with direct pressure)
- Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, slurred speech, or difficulty speaking (stroke symptoms)
- Loss of consciousness or fainting (especially unexplained)
- Seizures (first-time or prolonged)
- Severe burns (large area, face, hands, or genitals)
- Head injury (loss of consciousness, confusion, or vomiting)
- Coughing or vomiting blood (possible internal bleeding)
- Severe abdominal pain (sudden and intense)
- Sudden vision changes
- Mental status changes (confusion, disorientation, or sudden behavioral changes)
- Suicidal or homicidal thoughts
Welia Health Emergency Services in Mora
Located within Mora Hospital at 301 Highway 65 S, Mora, MN 55051, our ER is open 24/7/365. As a Level IV Trauma Center, we provide advanced care for serious injuries. Our team is comprised of board-certified emergency and family medicine physicians and advanced practice providers. In a medical emergency, always dial 911.
Key differences between Urgent Care and the ER
| Urgent Care | Emergency Room | |
|---|---|---|
| Severity | Non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries | Serious and life-threatening conditions |
| Hours | Welia Health–Pine City: Daily: 9 AM–7 PM. Expanded hours begin May 5: 7 AM–7 PM, Monday-Friday. 9 AM–7 PM, Sat-Sun. | Welia Health–Mora: 24/7/365 |
| Cost | Typically less expensive than the ER | More expensive than Urgent Care. Patients are seen regardless of their ability to pay. |
| Wait Times | Generally shorter wait times | Longer wait times, especially for non-emergency situations |
| Services | Treatment for common illnesses and injuries; X-rays | Comprehensive care; advanced imaging and diagnostics, surgery, specialized services |
| Location | Pine City, 1425 Main St N | Mora, within Mora Hospital at 301 Highway 65 S |
Special considerations for children
Children, especially infants and toddlers, need careful attention as their conditions can worsen quickly. Seek immediate ER care for children exhibiting any of the following:
- High fever, especially in infants under 3 months
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Bluish tint to the lips or skin
- Unusual lethargy or unresponsiveness
- Seizures
- Severe abdominal pain
- Head injuries with loss of consciousness or vomiting
- Dehydration (signs include no urination for several hours, dry mouth, and sunken eyes)
- Any burn that appears to be deep or covers a large area
Choose the right care
Welia Health is committed to providing the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
- In a life-threatening emergency or when unsure of a condition’s severity, don’t hesitate. Call 911 immediately.
- For urgent, but non-life-threatening issues, Welia Health Urgent Care in Pine City provides convenient and cost-effective care.
