Do you start fretting whenever you come down with symptoms too severe to be treated with over-the-counter medication and a few days off from work? In today’s healthcare environment it can be very stressful indeed when you might need a trip to the doctor to cure whatever’s ailing you. You have your insurance information to collect, your finances to budget and spare time to get in order…all while feeling terrible. A walk in urgent care center can give you peace-of-mind for nearly any minor to moderate issue you’re going through.
What is the function of medical care? To keep us healthy, of course. But what, exactly, does that entail? An emergency room is designated strictly for situations that can’t wait, such as a severe allergic reaction or a puncture wound. A trip to the doctor’s, on the other hand, is for getting a refill on medication or a yearly flu shot. An urgent care center floats somewhere in-between, addressing a wide variety of issues that cause discomfort and pain to keep people from either waiting too long for treatment or paying too much.
Knowing what to expect will better prepare you and your finances for what’s to come. An estimated four out of every five urgent care centers will provide you on-the-spot fracture care. When 25,000 Americans suffer from an ankle sprain every day, this local resource is essential to get people back on their feet as soon as possible. Ankle sprains aren’t the only form that see quick medical attention, either. Wrist sprains, broken bones and sports physicals are just a few of the services you can see under the roof of an urgent care clinic.
Burn wounds and cuts need to be seen by a doctor immediately to avoid the risk of infection. This can delay the healing process, make you sick and even compromise a limb if not taken seriously. Due to the function of a walk in urgent care center you don’t have to linger in long lines waiting for attention. There are over 20,000 physicians who practice Urgent Care Medicine as of today and three million patients will visit urgent care centers across the country on a weekly basis.
Let’s look at a few more statistics. Over 80% of Americans are allergic to poison ivy and poison oak. Every year sees Americans coming down with one billion colds. This is alongside an estimated eight million trips to the doctor’s office for urinary tract infections, yeast infections and regular STD screenings. A walk in urgent care center is more than equipped to deal with the majority of problems brought its way, with anything more serious provided immediate referrals.
Preventative care also goes a long way and should be actively considered before you start coming down with nausea or experiencing breathing issues. An urgent care center can provide you yearly flu shots to keep you in fighting shape throughout the winter season, while check-ups are important to look you over from head-to-toe and ensure you’re doing well. Regular STD screenings and additional vaccinations, such as preventing HPV, can be requested over the phone or in-person.
One of the most useful tips you can know before visiting urgent care clinics are their times of operation. While an estimated 85% of urgent care centers are open seven days per week, some operate on a weekday basis and others only during the morning and afternoon. Rather than seek out a local urgent care clinic only to be turned away, refresh yourself with each and every schedule so you can get the help you need when you need it. While emergency rooms are always an option (and a very necessary one), they can cause you to spend too much money for minor issues.
There’s no need to worry when your health takes a turn for the worse. A walk in urgent care center will have you covered.