Have you visited an urgent care clinic before? Chances are that there is an urgent care center located near you. If you are unfamiliar with all of the available services provided by urgent care clinics, then you may be interested in learning more.
It’s not uncommon for people to sustain injuries or become ill after regular doctor’s office hours. This may particularly be the case before or after work as well as over the weekend. Most urgent care centers are open to see patients every day of the week, which is the case with 85% of these facilities. The Urgent Care Association of America has estimated that three million patients are seen by doctors every week at various urgent care locations. Currently, there are 20,000 doctors that practice this growing medical specialty.
There are a variety of medical issues that are treated at urgent care clinics. In 2012, for example, the most common diagnosis was for upper-respiratory conditions. The most common procedure performed at that time was for wound repair. In addition to diagnosing and treating these types of issues, urgent care clinics may see patients that have sustained sports injuries such as ankle sprains or fractures.
Common illnesses such as colds and flus can be treated at these facilities as well. It’s been estimated that Americans come down with approximately one billion colds every year, and five percent to 20% of the American population also gets the flu. While some people may choose to suffer through these illnesses, an urgent care facility can provide or prescribe a variety of treatments. When someone has a high fever that won’t go down, for example, this would be a good time to visit a walk-in clinic. Other symptoms such as severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and coughing can also be evaluated and treated by an urgent care physician.
When you visit an urgent care clinic, you can learn more about the various convenient and quality services they provide. When medical care is urgently needed, it’s important to remember that advance appointments aren’t required. This can make a significant difference if you have sustained a minor injury, are feeling short of breath or dizzy, or suffering with a severe cold or flu.