4 Facts about Urgent Care You Should Know
Urgent care is described as a type of walk-in clinic, whereby you do not need complicated medical care. Urgent care centers offer patients medical services they need at a substantially lower cost. In these centers, you can visit the service provider without an appointment. You have freedom to visit the clinics at any time of the day, including holidays. The service providers understand a situation requiring medical attention can occur at any time of the day or year informs Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp.
There are several facts about urgent care you should know and they include:
Can Prescribe Limited Medicine
Many urgent care clinics have their pharmacy, which means a doctor can prescribe medications. Some of the medicines include antibiotics, pain relievers, stomach condition medications, and antiviral medications agrees Strom & Associates.
However, some medications the doctors will not prescribe since they require follow up, or refills. Urgent care doctors will also not prescribe anti-anxiety drugs, long-term pain medications, narcotics, etc.
You May Be Able To Make an Appointment
Generally, urgent care clinics’ primary purpose is to allow patients to walk in whenever they feel like or any time needed. However, in some clinics, you will get an appointment from the care provider to avoid wasting time at the waiting bay.
Some clinics are advanced, and they have a system whereby you sign in and wait to be notified through your phone the appropriate time to visit the doctor.
They Differ from Primary Health Care
Urgent care providers treat medical problems that are not critical but need to be dealt with quickly. These medical problems include, minor burns and cuts, fractures, or suspected infections. The physician will investigate the medical condition and recommend the most appropriate medication or management method. In some instances, they will refer you to another hospital for further review.
However, suppose you suspect anyone or yourself with severe diseases like a heart attack or any other life-threatening condition. In that case, you should not head to urgent care but to the hospital where they have qualified personnel and resources to take care of such issues.
Millennials Have Distinct Preference for Urgent Care over Primary Care
Millennials and other young Gen-Xers are more likely to rely on urgent care centers. It is probably because urgent care centers are quick and convenient, allowing patients to wait less time than primary care.
The study showed that patients above 45years of age were more likely to depend on primary care, whereas millennials aged between 18-34years of age were more likely to depend on urgent care clinics.
Bottom Line
Urgent care makes up the largest percentage of walk-in clinics globally. Most people prefer urgent care clinics because they offer services at a lower price, and you will not have to spend the whole day waiting for services. Besides, you do not have to book an appointment with the doctor to get the services you need.
Physicians in the urgent care centers provide essential medical services such as routine vaccinations, treatment for less severe injuries, and X-ray testing for suspected broken bones or pneumonia.