Facts You’ll Appreciate Knowing About Urgent Care
4 min read
Regardless of whether your child wakes up with a fever or you cut a finger while preparing dinner requires knowing where to seek help. Where to get care can be tricky sometimes now that we’re living in difficult times. You have to understand circumstances where you should seek urgent care. Here are things worth knowing about urgent care.
Treating various cases
Most people know that urgent care is for just minor illnesses including ear infections, allergic reactions, pink eye, fevers, or strep throat. However, you can also receive urgent care for minor injuries. Burns, cuts, fractures, frostbite, or sprains need urgent care. Additionally, urgent care is also for situations where you need IV fluids with appropriate medication for conditions like vomiting, migraines, and dehydration.
Some urgent care providers have an x-ray, EKGs, imaging equipment, lab services, and access to advanced testing equipment like MRI, CT, or ultrasound scans. If you think you are at risk of losing a limb or a cut tendon, then you have to go to the emergency room. However, urgent care providers don’t turn away people who show up with serious injuries or ailments. You will get to the appropriate place in case of care beyond what they can handle.
You should visit urgent care for flu symptoms
Getting a flu shot helps you and those near you avoid the flu misery. And, there’s a 48-hour window to get appropriate medication when at risk of catching the flu. The medication will make you feel much better faster and avoid potential severe complications. So, never hesitate to seek urgent care in Phoenixville for a flu test if your primary caregiver isn’t available.
With the current turbulent times as the world struggles to deal with COVID-19, urgent caregivers have special entrances for people having symptoms of respiratory problems. Here, you’ll find staff wearing personal protection equipment. Additionally, other safety protocols like wearing masks, regular cleaning of all surfaces, and social distancing are maintained. You can as well go and get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Timing is important
It’s impossible to know when you’re likely to get sick or have an injury. However, it is important to keep in mind that time of day and day of the week impacts wait times when seeking urgent care. Most people visit urgent care on Sunday night because most doctors don’t work on weekends. And, it is a day before school and some people need a note so they can have Monday as a day off work. This explains why Monday is nicknamed “Medical Monday”.
Wait times seem to be longer during dinner time and early mornings. Most people want to get urgent care after or after school or work. Going during late mornings and early afternoon is a great idea. Holiday periods are usually busier such as Christmas Eve. Keeping this in mind is very important so you won’t have to sit for long in the waiting room.
Calling ahead is important
With the mushrooming number of urgent care providers, it is very important to understand that all are not made equal. So, you have to take time and select the urgent care provider who will handle your requirements. Doing this requires evaluating the level of care to expect. Calling and asking is strongly recommended to avoid getting surprised on arrival.
Opting for the wrong urgent care provider delays getting the necessary assistance you need. And, it will cost you more money. Making a shortlist and calling them to find out what they offer is a great idea. Some of the questions you can consider to be able to pick a provider of urgent care services matching your needs include:
- Do you have IV fluids?
- Is an x-ray available?
- Will I be able to see a physician?
- Do you have an age restriction?
Know when to get primary care or go to ER
It is very important to understand that urgent care can’t work for all health-related problems. If you have ongoing medical needs, a visit to a primary caregiver is recommended. Here, you’ll receive various treatment options and receive continuation care. You have to call and schedule an appointment to see the doctor. Primary care allows getting diagnosis and treatment for long-term medical conditions like diabetes, mental health, and high blood pressure.
Sometimes, a visit to the emergency room is more appropriate. Care here is available 24/7 and the rooms are equipped to handle patients in critical condition. Keep in mind that care in an emergency room depends on the severity of the problem. Situations that require a visit to the emergency room include:
- After an accident
- Symptoms of stroke
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Any life-threatening condition
Bottom line
Urgent care offers solutions to various health conditions in different circumstances. However, it is good to know where it is a better option, the best times to go, and what to expect.
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