Need Urgent Care? Know which Medical Conditions Walk-in Centers Treat

If you plan a visit to a modern-day emergency room for an acute illness or injury, you probably must wait for a long time before seeing a doctor. This is where urgent care centers come in. They are convenient and on-demand care centers that offer walk-in care and immediate treatment for urgent health problems that are not life-threatening.

As a relatively new addition to the healthcare industry, urgent care centers are a fast and affordable alternative to emergency room care for patients. They offer extended hours and a wide variety of convenient treatment options ranging from vaccination to diagnostics. They are equipped to treat more serious ailments including wounds, sprains, and fractures. Moreover, they also offer services like x-rays, blood tests, and stitching.

But what other factors people consider when choosing walk-in clinics?

According to the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA), the dedicated number of urgent care center settings range from 4,000 to 9,000 centers. Moreover, between 70 to 160 million urgent care visits per year have been estimated by the same studies. These centers also account for 18.2 percent of all primary care visits and 9.7 percent of outpatient visits in the United States.

If your primary care physician is not available, walk-in doctors can serve as the first point of contact in the patient journey. Urgent care clinics are staffed with physicians, equipped with x-ray and lab equipment, and are introduced to perform minor procedures that need immediate medical attention. These clinics provide quality access to healthcare.

So, what type of medical services can you expect from these centers? Let’s take a quick view of the most common medical treatments that urgent care clinics provide.

Non-Life-Threatening Conditions

One of the major services offered by urgent care facilities include the treatment of non-life threatening illnesses and injuries. They have licensed nurse practitioners and physicians who treat common conditions such as sprains, strains, minor broken bones, cold, flu, eye redness, illness, cuts, allergic reactions, and infections.

 

Lab Test Services

Many immediate care clinics offer a wide variety of on-site lab processing services to patients for better diagnosis. These facilities provide the same type of services offered in the emergency room or by primary care doctors. The services include blood tests, STD tests, drug tests and screenings, electrolyte tests, pregnancy tests, urinalysis, flu, strep A, and more tests. 

Preventative Health Services

One of the common healthcare services offered by urgent care centers is routine care for patients. This may include preventative health services which cover vaccinations and flu shots, gynecologic exams, schools and sports physicals, fitness exams for kids and adults, and other routine check-ups.

 

Minor Physical Injuries and Issues

Since urgent walk-in care clinics are ideal for treating anything that isn’t life threatening, they have a well-trained emergency medicine staff to treat minor physical injuries and medical conditions. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms like minor abdominal pain, headaches, swollen glands, sore throats, diarrhea, rash, unexplained swelling or wheezing, it is good to visit an urgent care facility.

 

Administer Intravenous Medication

The medical professionals of these urgent care facilities are experts in providing you with the best medical advice and services. This may include intravenous (IV) fluids and medications. If you need medication or require an IV, the medical staff will give you a prescription and additional relevant information.

 

As now you are familiar with the different types of urgent care services, it is important to know a few things before you consider visiting a walk-in clinic.

• Make sure to find a center that is associated with your health insurance to control your cost of care.
• On a visit, you may be advised to see a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners or registered nurses based on your specific medical condition.
• In addition to urgent treatment, your walk-in center may also provide primary care services for a sudden injury or illness.
• For getting fast treatment and the best care possible in the clinic, it is good to bring all essential medical documents along with you. 

 

Symptoms Treated by Walk-in Doctors

Sometimes, it may be difficult to suspect the problem. In such a condition, it is a good idea to see your doctor for the following symptoms.

• Rashes, itching, and infections
• Severe sore and strep throat
• Coughing, wheezing and sneezing
• Breathing difficulties
• Redness and irritation in eyes
• Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea or dehydration
• Sprains and strains
• Body, muscle, and headaches
• Unexplained pain or swelling
• Broken bones or minor fractures
• Fever or flu
• Urinary tract infections
• Moderate back problems
• Cuts that can be treated with stitches

 

If you are noticing any of the above-mentioned health issues or symptoms and looking for the best walk-in doctors in Brooklyn or Bay Ridge NYC for immediate medical attention, consider visiting the our well-known clinic, Artisans of Medicine that offers prompt urgent care.