Urgent care clinics are popping up all over the nation. There are more than 7,000 of these walk in medical clinics across the United States and that number is surely expected to grow. In order to be classified as an urgent care center, a clinic must be open seven days per week. This kind of convenience makes them a big hit in convenience-hungry market. So, what kinds of services can you get at these new, medical centers?
Urgent, But Not Life-Threatening Care
An urgent care or after hours medical clinic is made to treat things like sprains or upper respiratory infections. These kinds of ailments do need immediate care but are not life threatening and so are not appropriate for an emergency room. Urgent care facilities have can do X-rays, scans and provide medication. The scope of their care is actually quite large. Not to mention, the average urgent care visit is $150 while the average emergency room visit is $1500.
Routine Testing
Need a physical for school? You can go to an urgent care facility. Need to send an employee somewhere for a drug test? Urgent care is good for that, too. While it is still a good idea to build a relationship with a primary care provider, you can head to the urgent care center for these routine items as you need them. After all, it is much easier to get in at the urgent care center than at the doctor’s office. You just have to show up!
Minor Infections
We all need antibiotics from time to time to treat things like strep throat, Urinary Tract Infections and sexually transmitted infections. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for a doctor’s visit to get these things treated. By heading to an after hours medical clinic, you can get that all treated right away.
Urgent care should never replace your primary physician, but it can certainly stand in from time to time when you need something right away. If you want to feel better, sooner than urgent care may be for you.
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