Did you know that urgent care is one of the fastest-growing subdivisions of the American healthcare system? In fact, approximately three million patients visit convenient care centers each week in the United States. Since their creation in the 1970s, medical urgent care centers have become viable alternatives to the emergency room because urgent care facilities are designed to treat non-life-threatening injuries more quickly than the ER. There are several benefits of visiting urgent health care centers, as they are an effective way to reduce ER crowding.
1. Variety of treatment. Urgent care centers are equipped to treat a wide variety of minor conditions. Upper respiratory illnesses, food poisoning, concussions, lacerations, fractures, and sprains, for example, can all be treated at an urgent care facility. Although urgent care centers are not designed to handle life-threatening injuries, they are a convenient way to get medical treatment for minor conditions.
2. Short wait times. Many patients experience short wait times when they visit convenient care centers. In fact, 57% of patients wait only 15 minutes or less to be seen, and 80% of all visits are completed in 60 minutes or less. As a result, urgent care centers deliver the treatment that patients need as quickly as possible.
3. Low cost. Urgent care centers are often more affordable than the emergency room. In fact, while the typical ER visit costs approximately $1,500, the average trip to urgent care only costs about $150. This means that convenient care patients are able to get the treatment they need at a low cost.
There are several benefits of visiting urgent care centers. Not only do these facilities offer a variety of treatment at a low cost, but they also deliver medical care quickly, as well. As a result, convenient care is an efficient way to help reduce ER crowing. Links like this.