Research shows that an estimated 35% of emergency room visits in the United States could have been resolved faster and more affordably had they been treated been treated at an urgent care center. While still a relatively new addition to the American healthcare industry, urgent care clinics have proven instrumental in relieving hospital emergency rooms and doctor’s offices overwhelmed by their volume of patients. However, urgent care clinics also offer a variety of advantages for patients: shorter wait times, convenient hours, easy to find locations, and more.

Urgent care clinics operate as medical walk in clinics that allow patients to receive treatment at their own convenience. As a result, an estimated 85% of urgent care centers are open 7 days a week, and many are also open 24 hours a day. Additionally, the Urgent Care Association of America reports that over 80% of urgent care patients wait 15 minutes or less for treatment.

While urgent care clinics are designed to treat non-life-threatening medical conditions, they offer a variety of medical services, and are typically required to be managed by a licensed physician. Commonly, these walk in clinics treat nausea, dizziness, flu symptoms, and anxiety, but services are often increasing: for example, many urgent care facilities now have access to X-ray technology, which they use to diagnose fractures, sprains, and other bone-related issues. Many urgent care centers have also started to perform routine blood work and physical exams. But in spite of their wide variety of services, most urgent care clinics are found in easily accessible areas, such as medical plazas or retail centers, either as free-standing buildings or a retail building.

Urgent care centers offer a number of beneficial services to patients in their communities with non-life-threatening medical conditions. By offering these local services, it not only prevents patients from having to wait for necessary medical treatment, but also eases the burden placed on overcrowded hospitals and doctor’s offices. So, next time you have a medical problem that is non-critical but requires immediate attention, don’t wait: visit your local urgent care center.
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