7 Urgent Care Facts That You Should Know


Urgent Care
Urgent Care
Spread the love
75 / 100

Is it necessary to take your child to the emergency room if they awake with a fever? Is a visit to Lewis center urgent care necessary if you cut your finger while cooking? Making the right decision about where to go for immediate medical care can be difficult, especially now that COVID-19 restrictions are in effect. Here are seven surprising facts about urgent care that you should know:

You might be surprised by the conditions that urgent care can treat.

Many know that minor illnesses such as pink eye, ear infection, strep throat, allergic reactions, and fevers can be treated quickly at urgent care. However, it is less well-known that urgent care can treat minor injuries. Sprains, fractures, burns, frostbite, and cuts can treat at an urgent care facility. Urgent care services also offer IV fluids and medications to treat dehydration, vomiting, and migraines, EKG, lab services, X-ray, and imaging equipment. These clinics also have access to advanced testing such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans.

If you see bone, suspect a tendon has been cut, or believe you may lose a limb, go to the emergency room (ER). Even so, you will not be turned away if you arrive at urgent care with a life-threatening injury or illness. If you require care beyond what we can provide, we will get you to the right place as soon as possible.

Emergency room vs. urgent care

The ER at a hospital has more resources and specialists to treat severe problems. In situations such as heart attacks or strokes, every minute counts. If you have any of the following signs, symptoms, or a life-threatening condition, go to the nearest ER or call 911:

  • Heart attack symptoms: Chest pain, sweating, and pain in your arm, neck, or back
  • Stroke Symptoms include sudden weakness, vision changes, and difficulty speaking.
  • Having difficulty breathing
  • Sudden and severe pain
  • Allergic reactions with airway swelling, head or back injuries
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Poisoning, bleeding, or vomiting that does not stop severe dehydration
  • A drug overdose
  • Major bone fractures, burns, and cut

The best time to visit an urgent care Lewis center is around midday.

You can’t choose when you get sick or injured, but if you can, try to go to urgent care in the late morning or early afternoon. Wait times are often longer in the early morning and around dinnertime because most people go to urgent care right before or after work or school. 

Restrict the number of times you call ahead.

Many healthcare centers have nurse lines you can call if unsure about an injury or illness. However, it is difficult to tell what is wrong over the phone. If you call urgent care, you will likely tell to come in for an assessment and give our best estimate of how long you will have to wait to be seen. A nurse can quickly assess you and notify a doctor if your condition is potentially serious.

You should go to urgent care if you have flu symptoms.

First, get a flu shot to protect yourself and others from the misery of the flu. If you get the flu, you have 48 hours to get medication that will help you feel better faster and possibly prevent serious complications. Urgent care facilities can test for the flu if your primary care provider is unavailable. They will direct you to an entrance for people with respiratory symptoms during COVID-19. All team members wear masks, socially distance themselves, and thoroughly clean all surfaces. If you suspect you have COVID-19, you can use our free online screening tool to find out.

A nurse practitioner or a physician assistant may see you.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants who work in urgent care are familiar with the issues that arise commonly. They can easily consult with a board-certified physician working alongside them if necessary. They can often see you when the regular primary healthcare provider is unavailable. Many of the nurse practitioners and assistants have emergency training.

You still require the services of your primary care physician.

While urgent care can provide quick care when you are sick or injured, it does not replace your primary healthcare provider. Having a provider you see regularly ensures that someone is looking out for your future health. Such as ensuring your immunizations are up to date, preventing or controlling chronic conditions, managing medications, and discussing health screenings such as mammograms. 

Conclusion

Lewis center urgent care providers can assist you in establishing a good healthcare routine. With immediate care and walk-in clinics, you can also schedule a follow-up visit for constant checks on your health if the disease is chronic. However, urgent care centers do not provide emergency treatments such as relief from severe symptoms of heart problems & stroke, sudden collapse, accidents, and more. In that case, you need to visit the emergency room instead of a walk-in urgent care clinic.


swith leo