Urgent care and the emergency room are related to medical emergencies but the two differ in a number of ways. You should know these differences in case you or your loved ones have some medical problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
What is urgent care? Walk-in clinics are urgent care facilities where you can get treatment for minor medical conditions like a sinus infection or a sore throat. You can also seek urgent care for medical instances such as minor injuries and illnesses like allergies, cuts, sprains, and infections.
Going to urgent care facilities is beneficial when your doctor can’t treat you right away and your condition is not as bad that you need to drive to the ER. The difference between going to urgent care centers and the ER is that by going to urgent care facilities, you won’t have to wait long to get treatment. This is helpful if you need to get treatment right away.
The common scenario in the ER is that you’ll wait 3-4 hours to get help while going to an urgent care facility will only take 30 minutes to an hour. If you have minor injuries or illness then it’s best to go to an urgent care facility.
These are the benefits of Urgent Care:
Urgent Care is Cost-Effective
While charges may vary due to differences in insurance plans, it’s safe to say that urgent care opportunities are lower in price than going to the ER. This can take the worry off your shoulder. You may want to check on your insurance company for this kind of benefit.
You Get the Benefits of Comprehensive Care
When going to urgent care clinics, you get both the benefits of family medicine and emergency care/medicine. This means that the doctors who will treat you are knowledgeable about many aspects of medical issues.
They Have Extended Hours
Are you visiting your urgent clinic after 5:00 pm because you have work? Don’t worry because more likely than not, they’re open. Urgent care clinics are also open during weekends so there’s an emphasis that you won’t have to wait long to get treated.
They Accept Walk-Ins
Some people don’t have time anymore to call the clinic and get an appointment. This is a good thing for people who have jobs and other activities that keep them busy. Urgent care clinics accept walk-ins so you can come in and wait for only a little to see your medical practitioner.
Getting Treated When You’re Out on a Trip
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. If you’re out on your own or you’re with family and friends, you can seek help immediately by going to an urgent care clinic. By going to an urgent care center, even when your family doctor isn’t around, you will get treatment right away. Again, this is applicable for minor injuries and illnesses.
Getting the best urgent care opportunities for you and your family is the best thing to do if you’re looking for an alternative to going to the ER. Many urgent care facilities are high-quality and don’t charge unreasonable prices. One of the best things about it is that you don’t have to wait a long time to get the treatment you need.
