EL PASO, Texas -- National research shows more than half of people who visit an emergency room don't really need to be there. Now there is an alternative, with shorter wait times and a lower price tag. A broken toe brought Suresh Nayer and his son to Southwest Urgent Care Center. "He was trying to help his sister in a hurry and he jabbed his toe against the door," said Suresh Nayer.

They said they chose the urgent care over a traditional hospital emergency room.

"When we came in they took us right away and gave us all the info we needed," Nayer said

Dr. Sergio Ibarra runs the urgent care center in west El Paso. He said he's seen more people at his clinic.

"Over the last two to three years we have noticed an increase in popularity in urgent care centers. The convenience is a big factor patients. They don't have to wait hours for their medical care, " said Ibarra.

Some patients said a center is more personal and that is why they prefer it.

"At the ER everybody gets you in then gets you out. Nobody is in a good mood. They just see you like a number and it just takes way too long," said Veronica Escarzhea.

Ibarra is quick to point out while 70 percent of all emergency room visits do not require an emergency department, 30 percent still do.

"There are several situations in which it is best to go to an emergency room, those in which the patient is having symptoms of a heart attack a stroke and uncontrollable bleeding," Ibarra said.

But for the Nayer's, in less than an hour they have a cast and are out the door.