While many of us turn to our primary care physicians when we feel unwell, it isn’t always possible to see them exactly when we need to. And, although anyone can go to the emergency room (ER) for medical treatment, they are usually bound to experience long wait times for minor medical problems, because patients with serious or life-threatening conditions are always a priority. Medical costs can also be much higher at an ER.
These situations often leave a person with one question: “Where should I go then?” Did you know that you have one more option for minor medical situations? Seeking urgent care is your best choice for when your PCP isn’t available and you want to avoid the long wait times and astronomical medical bills associated with an ER visit.
Here, you’ll learn about the reasons why seeking urgent care is a great option as well as the conditions that warrant a visit to an urgent care clinic.
Why Go to an Urgent Care Clinic
An urgent care clinic is a type of medical facility that accommodates patients of all ages with conditions and injuries that are not serious enough to be considered life-threatening, but still require high-priority care.
Urgent care facilities have extended opening hours, are open all year round, and also accept walk-in visits, meaning you don’t need to have an appointment. They also offer a wide range of ancillary services on site, such as routine physical exams, COVID-19 testing, diagnostic tests, and occupational health services, so you can have everything taken care of in one location.
What’s more, urgent care facilities are manned by a team of healthcare professionals who are extensively trained in emergency medicine, which means the quality of healthcare services you can expect is on par with—or even a lot better than—what you get when you go to the emergency room.
When to Go to an Urgent Care
The medical staff at urgent care clinics are highly equipped and qualified to treat a vast variety of minor illnesses.
If you experience symptoms of any of the following conditions, your best bet is to head out to an urgent care clinic near you:
- Abscess or a suspected skin infection
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Ear infection
- Eye redness, itchiness, and/or discharge (conjunctivitis)
- Migraines and headaches
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
- Nosebleeds
- Painful urination or suspected urinary tract infection
- Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Sinusitis
- Stomach pain/stomach flu
- Upper respiratory infections (e.g., colds and the flu)
Urgent care facilities can also treat a variety of minor injuries including the following:
- Animal bites
- Dislocations
- Minor burns
- Minor cuts and lacerations
- Minor fractures
- Sprains and strains
When an urgent care physician deems advanced care is necessary for your medical problem, they will provide you with a referral to the appropriate specialist for the effective management of your condition or injury.
Top-Notch Urgent Care in King, NC
The next time you experience an allergic reaction or your child gets a scraped knee, you know what to do: visit us here at Cardinal Urgent Care in King, North Carolina. Our team— led by board-certified emergency room physician, Dr. Samir Patel—values the convenience, time, health, and overall experience of the people in the community we are privileged to serve. As such, we strive to provide comprehensive, highly efficient, compassionate care, so our patients can quickly get back to doing the things they love to do.
If you would like to find out more about the services we offer, call us today at (336) 983-9111. We look forward to serving you!
