24 Hour Urgent Care: Get The Fast Care You Need in an Emergency

What is Urgent Care?

Urgent care is the type of care that is given to someone who may need immediate medical attention, however their condition is not considered life threatening. For example, a person cuts their hand by accident and needs medical attention. If they visit the emergency room, they will have to wait for long hours before receiving medical attention, and ER services may not be necessary for that particular injury. Also, their doctor may not be available, so they will go to a 24 hour urgent care clinic. Urgent care centers are available all over the country, and they are made to offer medical assistance for such minor instances. Therefore, someone doesn't have to wait for several hours in the emergency room when their injury is not life threatening.

 
When Would Someone Need Urgent Care?

Urgent care centers are suitable for people with minor injuries that still need medical attention but aren't at risk for something life threatening. These centers are open 24 hours a day to offer patients around-the-clock assistance should they need it. Since they're so readily available, they are most likely near you, unlike emergency rooms which are only attached to hospitals. Some minor injuries you may go to an urgent care center include:

• small cuts and bruises
• abdominal pain
• body and joint aches
• sprains
• mild illnesses such as cold and flu

All of the above mentioned are minor injuries or minor illnesses and do not require a trip to the emergency room. However, if once examined at the clinic the physicians decide your condition is indeed life threatening, they will send you to the nearest emergency room to get immediate care. It is not advisable to take the time to go to an urgent care center if you are experiencing dire symptoms. For example, if you're experiencing shortness of breath, it is best to call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. This particular symptom is related to heart attacks which is a life threatening condition. Any other type of medical condition that is time sensitive can be treated at an urgent care center. For instance, if experiencing fever or diarrhea that is getting worse by the hour, urgent care can be appropriate. They will address your issue and provide the right remedy. If you're not sure if you need to go to urgent care or the emergency room, consider this resource to learn more information. 

 
What to Expect When You Get to the Medical Center

Upon arrival at the 24 hour urgent care center, the physicians will consider your symptoms and give you a proper examination before diagnosing you. For example, if you fell down the stairs, the physician will perform an X-ray to check for broken bones. Other tests possibly used at urgent cares include:

• blood tests
• CAT scans
• mammography
• ultrasounds

The physicians then treat your condition accordingly, and if it needs closer treatment, they will send you to the nearest emergency room. The price of getting urgent care is usually much lower than hospitals, and also the wait time is lesser. If you do not have an appointment, you will usually only have to wait for a half an hour or so, and it's possible to receive your results within ten minutes.

Covid Testing Urgent Cares

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face