If you have twisted your ankle or having stomach pains, do not worry about long hours in the emergency room. Ask yourself what is the nearest urgent care near me? Urgent care centers are the next evolution in the health care field offering a wide variety of services to their clients.

Urgent care centers provide medical service for conditions that are not serious enough to warrant an emergency room visit, but which require rapid attention. Urgent care centers represent one of the fastest-growing segments within the American healthcare system. Hours for urgent care are convenient, as 70% are open at 8 a.m. or earlier and 95% close after 7 p.m. Urgent care centers have been set up to benefit the customer. Each facility shares similar criteria including be open seven days a week, have multiple exam rooms and must accept walk-in patients during business hours.

Some of the conditions most often treated at urgent care centers include: sprains and strains, fractures, upper respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal conditions such as food poisoning, lacerations, and concussions. Millions of Americans struggle with the flu every year. On average, between 5 and 20% of Americans come down with the flu each year. Unfortunately, these people do not have the time to wait to see their regular doctor. An urgent care facility gives you access to a physician who specializes in family medicine or emergency medicine. An urgent care center is staffed by a physician who is supported by nurses and physician assistants.

Too often, emergency rooms are filled with people who have conditions that do not require immediate attention. This causes a back-up in services and people who need a doctor immediately cannot receive the care they need. Urgent care centers cut down on your weight time. The average wait time at an urgent care clinic is less than 30 minutes, compared to the hours you can spend at the emergency room. Urgent care is a much more cost efficient option than the emergency room. The typical emergency department visit costs an average of $1,500, while treatment at an urgent care center costs, on average, under $150.

If you have an injury and want to avoid the emergency room, ask yourself what is the nearest urgent care near me. Go to an urgent care center and get the medical treatments you deserve. You will be back to your normal self much quicker. More research here.