Nobody can predict when they’re going to need emergency medical care — that is, after all, the point of an emergency. In certain cases, you can wait to have your medical issue taken care of. However, there are some times when you can’t. Perhaps it’s because you emergency has to be tended to immediately. Perhaps, due to familial or work obligations, you can’t see a doctor during his or her normal hours. Perhaps you simply want to have your issue looked at on your own time — which isn’t necessarily a doctor’s time. The point is that with only 29% of primary care doctors having after hours coverage, after hours urgent care clinics are extremely valuable. After hours urgent care clinics are valuable, however, not only for the hours they provide but many other reasons, as you’ll see below. The free hours offered by walk in health clinics are numerous. Whether they require payment or are free walk in clinics, these resources can save people’s lives. They also offer a number of services that you may not even be aware of. With that being said, let’s look into why after hours urgent care could be an option for you.
After Hours Urgent Care: Convenient Hours, Varied Services
As discussed above, there are a number of reasons why you may need to choose a medical walk in clinic with after hours services. Whether your visit to a walk in clinic happens during the day or at night, there are a number of different treatment and testing options available at these kind of clinics. Many find themselves at urgent care centers due to broken bones, sprained wrists, and regular old cuts and bruises. Usually, urgent care centers offer stitches. Some also set patients’ relatively minor fractures with casts. Certain sprains or twists may also receive braces for their injuries. At the same time, it’s important to understand that some cases will need to be referred to a major hospital. Rest assured that though urgent care centers have plenty of medical professionals on staff, you’ll never be treated at a center that doesn’t feel properly equipped. Urgent care employees are fully prepared to call an ambulance if need be, and most are located close to major hospitals. Some also go to urgent care clinics for the treatment of sicknesses like cold and the flu. Fevers are often seen in urgent care centers. Most centers have medication at the ready; many can provide prescriptions, as well as fluids for those dehydrated to fever or other illnesses. Urgent care centers are known for their discretion, which is why you shouldn’t be embarrassed to go to one of these centers provide STD testing. STD testing kits — some of which can be done at home — are provided at most urgent care centers. If you do have an STD, the sooner you know the sooner you can be treated. If you don’t — it’s still safer to know for sure.
Low Cost And Quick: The Other Advantages Of Urgent Care
Perhaps your medical issue isn’t an immediate problem — but it is one you want dealt with quickly. This isn’t always possible in hospital emergency rooms. Many have extremely long waiting times. It’s believed that from 2003 to 2009, the average wait time in emergency rooms increased from 46.5 minutes to 58.1 minutes. If this is the wait time for those with “emergencies”, imagine how long you’ll have to wait to have a relatively minor problem treated! Emergency room care is also expensive, with the average cost of an emergency room visit in 2009 being $1,318. The typical cost was $615. Some urgent care procedures are free — and most are very low cost compared to emergency room prices.
No matter why you need urgent care services, don’t hesitate before heading in. With low prices and low wait times, you should have the treatment you need in no time.