How Does Pediatric Urgent Care Differ from the ER?

When your child needs prompt medical attention, it’s important to know the difference between pediatric urgent care—like the services we offer—and the emergency room (ER).

Pediatric urgent care is designed for children who have non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that need immediate attention. Our experienced team can quickly treat issues such as minor cuts, sprains, mild asthma symptoms, ear infections, sore throats, mild fevers, and other common childhood illnesses. If your child’s condition isn’t severe enough for the ER but can’t wait for a regular pediatrician appointment, our clinic is here to help. We offer shorter wait times and lower costs compared to hospital ERs, and our staff is trained to provide compassionate, expert care specifically for children.

The emergency room, on the other hand, is best suited for severe or potentially life-threatening emergencies—such as major injuries, severe breathing difficulties, significant allergic reactions, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, poisoning, or loss of consciousness. If your child is experiencing a critical medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER immediately.

At Eastway Medical Clinic and Urgent Care, we are committed to providing high-quality medical care for children with a wide range of non-life-threatening health concerns. Our clinic is equipped to handle many pediatric urgent care needs, including the evaluation and treatment of injuries such as simple broken bones and sprains. Our experienced team can perform on-site X-rays, stabilize fractures, apply splints or casts, and manage pain to ensure your child’s comfort and speedy recovery.

However, if your child suffers a more serious injury—such as a bone protruding through the skin, heavy bleeding, or injuries involving the head, neck, or spine—we recommend seeking immediate attention at the nearest emergency room. These severe cases may require advanced care or surgical intervention.

Urgent care can also assist with allergic reactions. For mild to moderate allergic symptoms, our providers can offer prompt treatment and monitoring. In the event of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), we can administer emergency medications. Nonetheless, for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or loss of consciousness, it is safest to call 911 or go directly to the emergency room.

When your child is sick or injured, knowing where to go for the right care can make all the difference.

Eastway Medical Clinic and Urgent Care provides high-quality urgent care for children. Some situations require a higher level of care. If your child is experiencing a severe or life-threatening emergency—such as difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions, seizures, major injuries, significant burns, poisoning, or symptoms of a serious infection—they need to be seen in a hospital emergency room (ER) immediately. ERs are specifically equipped and staffed to manage these critical situations and provide advanced, specialized pediatric care.

When to visit Urgent Care:

• Minor injuries (sprains, minor fractures, cuts needing stitches)
• Mild to moderate asthma attacks
• Fevers and sore throats
• Ear infections and other common illnesses

When to go to the Emergency Room or call 911:

• Severe difficulty breathing
• Major injuries or trauma
• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• Seizures
• Significant burns or poisoning
• Symptoms of serious infections (such as unresponsiveness or severe lethargy)

Eastway Medical Clinic and Urgent Care is equipped to handle most common pediatric concerns. The ER is the safest choice for children experiencing severe, life-threatening, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Please call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room if your child:

• Has difficulty breathing, severe asthma attacks, or signs of respiratory distress such as blue lips, persistent grunting, or very rapid breathing.
• Is unresponsive, loses consciousness, has a new-onset seizure, or a seizure lasting more than five minutes.
• Shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or tongue, hives, or trouble breathing.
• Suffers a serious injury such as deep cuts with heavy bleeding that won’t stop, suspected broken bones with visible deformity, or head injuries with vomiting, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
• Has large, deep, or serious burns, especially those affecting the face, hands, or genitals.
• Runs a high fever with neck stiffness, severe headache, sensitivity to light, persistent vomiting, or a purple rash, which may indicate serious infections like meningitis or sepsis.
• Has ingested poisons, medications, unknown substances, or is suspected of drug or alcohol poisoning.
• Has a chronic condition (like diabetes) and is experiencing difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, confusion, or vomiting, which could indicate a serious complication.

If you are ever uncertain about the severity of your child’s condition or if you feel their life is in danger, it is safest to seek immediate care at the closest emergency room.

For less severe illnesses and injuries, Eastway Medical Clinic and Urgent Care is ready to see your child quickly and help get them on the path to recovery. Our caring providers offer walk-in and same-day appointments, making it easy for you to access the care your family needs. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1220 Eastway Drive Charlotte, NC. We serve patients from Charlotte NC, Newell NC, Mint Hill NC, Matthews NC, Allen NC, Harrisburg NC, and surrounding cities.