The United States’ healthcare industry is constantly growing and changing. After all, keeping a rising population of 300 million people healthy isn’t exactly a simple task. And as society changes the health needs of our nation will change too. For example, the baby boomer generation, one of the biggest generations yet, is now entering retirement. This means that millions of Americans will need senior care. Additionally, a lack of affordable healthcare and low employment rates means that many are left without insurance or with plans with high deductibles. This means that people are likely working erratic hours and are without a primary care physician. That being said, the industry must adapt in order to reflect the changes of our society. Otherwise, our country might face dire consequences.
One of the most urgent needs that the country must adapt to is the number of people visiting emergency rooms on a daily basis. And this surge has certainly taken a toll on the health care industry. While many obviously need urgent emergency care, many also visit the emergency rooms for less serious ailments, such as mild stomach pain, minorly broken limbs, and the flu. These cases take away vital money, practitioners and resources from patients who are in dire need of care.
Emergency rooms are frequented by people who do not have sufficient health insurance to visit a doctor. Additionally, many people who visit emergency rooms are there are irregular hours, when regular primary physicians are closed. So what can be done to combat this increasing issue? Luckily, something has already been done.
Urgent care centers are a recent innovation that is rapidly changing the landscape of emergency and urgent care. These walk in health clinic offer a range of services, from STD testing kits to family health care. Typically, urgent care centers are low cost health clinics, enabling anyone to get the treatment that they need. Additionally, these walk in health clinics have atypical hours and are open on weekends, early mornings, and late evenings. For mothers working full time, this kind of family quick care is invaluable.
As the health care industry rapidly changes, our country is looking for ways to adapt. Urgent care is one of the most effective means of adapting yet. More information like this.