Urgent care refers to care for conditions that require prompt attention but aren't life-threatening or extremely serious. A heart attack, stroke, compound fracture or other extremely serious conditions require immediate emergency treatment. In addition to providing treatment, an urgent care provider can administer or prescribe additional testing like blood tests, urinalysis, X-rays or other imaging studies to ensure the most appropriate treatment is provided.
Urgent care situations are broad and include a wide array of issue like:
Emergency rooms are designed to provide care for very serious, emergent medical needs, like heart attacks, strokes, seizures and life-threatening or very serious injuries. As a result, care is provided on prioritized basis, which means patients with less urgent care needs typically have very long waiting times before care is rendered. While waiting, patients can be exposed to an array of serious illnesses that increases their own chances of becoming sick. Practices that offer urgent care are able to provide treatment much more quickly, decreasing the time patients need to wait. In addition, the fees associated with emergency room care are usually much steeper than fees for urgent care provided at a doctor's office.
Urgent care can be provided on a walk-in basis, but it's always a good idea to call first so the office and the doctor are prepared for your arrival to minimize delays.
Urgent care needs are prioritized over well visits and preventive care so that patients can receive care promptly.
Feel free to email us regarding any scheduling or general questions!