Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care
When children are sick or injured and the pediatrician is unavailable, urgent care may be preferable to the emergency room. Emergency rooms do not typically have specially trained pediatric providers — and trips there are notoriously time-consuming and expensive.
Signs your child may need urgent care
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
- Sore throat
- Wounds requiring stitches
- Ear or sinus infection
- Sprain or possible fracture
- Dehydration
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Rashes
- Foreign body in ear, nose or swallowed
When to go to the emergency room
- Infants under 60 days with fever ≥100.4°F
- Severe breathing difficulty
- Head injury with unconsciousness or abnormal behavior
- Large, gaping wounds needing extensive stitches
- Seizure
- Deformed or dislocated broken bones
- Multiple swallowed magnets
- Swallowed button batteries
If your child is experiencing any of the above, go to the emergency room immediately — DO NOT WAIT.
Care+ Pediatrics
Average wait
< 10 min
< 10 min
Average co-pay
$25–$70
$25–$70
Emergency Room
Average wait
3–4 hours
3–4 hours
Average co-pay
$150–$500
$150–$500
Why families choose Care+
Minimal Wait Times
Extended Hours
Child-Centered Care
Convenient Locations
Clean & Welcoming
Need urgent care for your child now?
Walk-ins are welcome at all locations — or save your spot online and spend less time waiting.