Nowadays, if you show up for emergency treatment with a health issue that needs no urgent address, seeing a physician will take longer. Most emergency treatment centers are short-staffed to deal with the numerous patients demanding immediate attention. In the last 20 years, that situation has given birth to urgent care centers. Everyday Urgent Care offers prompt treatment for health conditions that are not life-threatening but require urgent care.
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Differences between an emergency and urgent care
The severity of the health issue treated
Urgent care differs mainly from emergency care in that it offers treatment for conditions that are not emergencies. Therefore, only visit an urgent care center if you suffer from accidents and falls, moderate difficulties in breathing, eye irritation, or sore throat.
Other conditions that may require urgent care are minor fractures, mild back issues, flu, skin infection, strain, and diarrhea.
On the other hand, an emergency care clinic treats severe health problems such as open fracture, abnormal bleeding, severe skin damage, unconsciousness, and breathing difficulty.
The level of operation
An emergency care clinic often has a sizeable staff specialized in different treatment areas. For instance, you will find physicians, nurses, and physicians’ assistants. The team has cardiologists, an orthopedic surgeon, and a neurologist. The health center also offers advanced imaging and laboratory service for diagnosing life-threatening conditions.
Emergency medical centers tend to operate throughout the day and night. That is for the simple reason that you may need emergency treatment anytime.
On the contrary, urgent care clinics may only have one doctor or a small team of health providers. Generally, the clinic offers only essential imaging and lab examinations to diagnose and treat non-life-threatening problems. Also, an urgent care clinic may only operate during regular working hours.
Since an urgent care clinic may have a few specialized staff treating not so severe conditions, expect the service to be relatively affordable and have shorter waiting times.
Presence of a doctor
When you visit an urgent care clinic, it may not be possible to interact or be treated by a doctor. There is a high chance your health condition can be diagnosed and treated by other health practitioners like nurses.
Although not a qualified doctor, the healthcare provider you interact with is still capable of attending to your problem professionally. The health professional may then recommend you follow up with your usual doctor.
Patient record management
Generally, an emergency center stores and maintains an extensive record of the medical history of its patients. But an urgent care clinic does not usually keep many patient records.
Therefore, carry your medical documents to get immediate medical attention in an urgent care clinic. Your medical documentation can include health insurance cover, prescription medications you may be using, and past health issues diagnosed.
If you are taking a child to receive urgent care or emergency care, and you are not the guardian or parent, ensure to bring along a parental authorization document.
Contact Everyday Urgent Care today to consult and get medical care promptly and at an affordable cost.
