If you are feeling unwell or have suffered a relatively minor injury and need medical care, you may be unsure where to go to get the appropriate treatment you need. An urgent care center can provide convenient, cost-effective, and comprehensive medical care, making it a great choice for all of your nonemergency healthcare needs.
Urgent care centers provide relatively quick medical care for illnesses and injuries that are not considered life-threatening or severely debilitating, but that still warrant priority care within 24 hours. Urgent care doctors are experienced professionals who have broad medical knowledge and a comprehensive skill set to treat a comprehensive range of health issues.
Urgent care clinics are not designed to replace your primary care physician, but they do offer an alternative option if your doctor is unavailable or not able to see you in a timely manner. These walk-in clinics have extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Let’s talk about why you would want to go to an urgent care center, and where you can find one right here in King, North Carolina.
Why Should I Go to an Urgent Care Clinic?
Convenient Walk-In Healthcare Service
Urgent care centers are becoming increasingly popular, with more than 9,600 clinics across the country. This means that no matter where you are, you should have access to an urgent care facility – no appointment necessary.
Cost-Effective Care
Emergency room costs vary greatly depending on the type of treatment required, and whether they accept your health insurance coverage – some emergency visits require out-of-pocket payments if the ER doesn’t take your insurance. The average cost of an urgent care visit is estimated at $140-$200, whereas an ER visit can cost from $600 to well over $3,000 for complex health issues or injuries.
Quicker Wait Times
Urgent care centers see patients on a first-come, first-served basis, whereas an emergency room treats patients based on the severity of their condition. An ER has what is called a triage system, which prioritizes life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
This means you may experience long wait times if you only have a minor medical issue, such as a sprained ankle. An urgent care visit typically takes less than 30 minutes from the time you arrive until you depart, whereas a visit to the ER takes an average of 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Convenient Opening Hours
You may not be able to get an appointment quickly with your primary care doctor. An urgent care center offers prompt, quality healthcare with no appointment necessary.
Broad Range of Services
Urgent care centers have experienced and caring medical staff who can diagnose and treat a wide range of injuries and illnesses, including:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Minor dislocations
- Minor fractures (not puncturing the skin)
- Minor cuts and abrasions
- Minor animal bites
- Minor burns
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach flu
- Common cold
- Flu (influenza)
- Asthma
- Ear infection
- Eye infection and pink eye
- Back, neck, or joint pain
- Joint injuries
- Allergies and mild allergic reactions (e.g., rash)
- Sinus and respiratory infections
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Viral infections
- Bacterial infections
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fever
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Insect bites and stings
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Abscesses and skin infections
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Migraines and headaches
- Nosebleeds
- Strep throat
- Tonsillitis
When Should I Go to an ER Instead?
Emergency rooms are fully equipped to handle medical emergencies and life-threatening conditions. If you have an emergency situation, a serious injury, or a condition that requires immediate medical treatment, you should go directly to your nearest ER or dial 911 for emergency medical care.
Urgent Care Center in King, North Carolina
If you are looking for high-quality urgent care in King, the physicians at Cardinal Urgent Care are here for you. We offer a comprehensive range of healthcare services in a friendly and welcoming environment. We also have extended hours to successfully treat all your urgent care needs.
For more information about us or our urgent care services, contact us today at (336) 983-9111. We look forward to serving you!
