HEALTH FIRST: Emergency Department or Urgent Care? How to Make the Right Choice
By Health First // June 4, 2025
HEALTH FIRST is committed to helping you make informed, confident choices about your health
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – With more people than ever seeking care across Brevard, knowing where to go when you need help quickly can make a big difference for you, your family, and the entire care system.
We want to continue expressing our gratitude to our associates, nurses, physicians, and partners for helping us manage increased patient volumes and for the thoughtful care decisions made every day to ensure patients are seen in the right place at the right time.
When is the emergency department the right choice?
Emergency departments (EDs) are designed for serious or life-threatening conditions. You should go to the ED or call 911 if you or a loved one experiences:
■ Chest pain or difficulty breathing.
■ Severe injury or trauma.
■ Sudden numbness, weakness, or slurred speech.
■ Head injury or loss of consciousness.
■ Uncontrollable bleeding.
When is urgent care a better option?
For less serious injuries or illnesses, such as flu symptoms, minor cuts, sprains, or infections, urgent care can be a faster and more convenient choice. Wait times are usually shorter than those in an emergency department (ED), and many locations are open evenings and weekends.
If you’re waiting to speak with a provider and hear, “If this is an emergency, hang up and call 911,” pause for a moment.
If you’re not experiencing a true emergency, you don’t have to wait. You can visit a nearby urgent care location and be seen quickly.
As our community continues to navigate changes in local healthcare, we’ll be sharing more resources to help guide essential care decisions, from urgent needs to specialty services like maternity care.
We’re committed to helping you make informed, confident choices about your health. Thank you for continuing to trust Health First.
