When you or someone in your family needs quick medical care, you don’t always need to go to the emergency room. Studies show that half of all ER visits are not for true emergencies. The less of an emergency you have, the longer you may have to wait because doctors and nurses are busy treating patients in life-or-death situations. Minor sprains or broken bones, sore throats, fevers, sinus or ear infections, urinary tract infections, x-rays, casting, and drug testing.