Side by side
Micro hospital vs freestanding ER vs urgent care
| Micro hospital | Freestanding ER | Urgent care | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed as | A hospital | An emergency facility, not a hospital (or a hospital outpatient department) | A clinic |
| Emergency department | Yes, 24/7 | Yes; check hours | No |
| Overnight stay | Yes, a small number of inpatient and observation beds | No; transfer to a hospital if admitted | No |
| Imaging and lab | Usually CT, X-ray, ultrasound and lab on site | Usually CT, X-ray and lab | Often X-ray and basic lab |
| Major surgery, ICU, trauma | Transfer to a larger hospital | Transfer to a hospital | Sent to an ER |
| Cost for minor problems | Emergency-level | Emergency-level | Much lower |
Sources: American Hospital Association; Healthcare Dive. General guidance. Each facility differs. For minor illness or injury, urgent care or your own doctor usually costs far less. Where should I go?