As the healthcare industry has expanded to offer services for patients with a wide variety of needs – striking at any time, often without warning – it has left many patients wondering when to call their primary care doc, when to stop into an urgent care clinic, and when to go directly to the emergency room. This quick care guide from M.D. Express Urgent Care can help.
Routine Care
If you’re schedule a routine, preventative appointment, such as a well child visit, a sports physical, a pap smear, or a mammogram, you can schedule with a traditional clinic. These appointments can usually wait until the practitioner you choose has time available in his or her schedule to see you, and many patients want to see somebody they know and trust for these kinds of visits.
Urgent care clinics can also provide routine care in many situations; if you’d like a same day appointment, urgent care might be an option.
Acute Illness and Injury
If you are injured or ill and need treatment today, an urgent care clinic is your best bet. These providers have extensive experience in treating nearly every acute condition that might impact your health and wellness, ranging from conjunctivitis to lacerations, STDs, bronchitis, and more. However, it’s important to note that they don’t have the resources on hand to treat life-threatening conditions.
Life-Threatening Illness or Injury
If you’re experiencing a life-threatening condition, such as hemorrhage, loss of consciousness, serious trauma, chest pain, or signs of a stroke, you should go directly to the emergency room or call your local emergency line to request an ambulance. Emergency rooms are staffed and equipped for serious situations like these.
Rest assured, if you schedule an appointment (or show up) at the wrong facility for your needs, the healthcare team will ensure you receive the care you need in the most appropriate setting. If you have further questions, refer to this quick care guide and don’t hesitate to contact your MD Express Urgent Care for clarification and direction.
