Have you ever needed to see a doctor and just didn’t know where to go? Not everyone has a doctor that they know, and even if they do, it’s not always easy to get in to see them right away.
When you’re sick or injured, it’s not only normal, but also warranted, to see a doctor as soon as possible. Unless you have a life-threatening problem or are experiencing excruciating pain, the emergency room is not the place to go.
Urgent care centers are ideal places to receive appropriate care for medical problems or injuries that should be treated right away but are not severe enough for an emergency room visit. An urgent care is also a good place to get an annual physical exam if you don’t have a regular doctor, need a medical exam or test for employment, or have had an injury on the job.
But how can you find a great urgent care clinic when you need one? There are several simple questions that you can ask which will help you find the best urgent care near you:
1. Is It Easy to Get To?
The location of an urgent care center will probably be the first thing you’ll want to consider. Is it near you, and is it easy to get to?
2. Will It Be Open When I Need It?
Unfortunately, illness and injury do not always happen during business hours. They occur anytime and anywhere. That’s why you will want to find an urgent care center that is fully staffed at even the most inopportune times. The best urgent care clinics will have extended operating hours so that you can see a doctor when you need one.
3. Are the Doctors Qualified?
Convenience is not the only factor that is important when you are looking for urgent care. You want to have peace of mind that the healthcare providers are qualified to treat any medical problems you might be having.
Look for centers that have board-certified physicians on-site to provide medical care. The doctors should be certified to treat patients like you, whether you are a young adult, an older adult, or if you are looking for care for your child.
4. Can the Providers Treat My Whole Family?
Unfortunately, families share more than good times. Often when little sister is sick, so is big brother and mom. When this happens, wouldn’t it be great to go to one doctor to take care of everyone?
You can accomplish this if you choose the right urgent care center. It is important to find a center that not only treats patients of all ages, but also has the capability of treating a wide array of medical problems – from acute injuries to chronic conditions.
5. Can I Afford to Go There?
It’s of no use to anyone to find an urgent care center that they cannot afford. The best urgent care for you is preferably one that accepts your health insurance.
Many urgent care centers accept all insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Financial worries should not keep you from receiving the best care.
6. Will They See Me Right Away?
Your time is valuable, so you want to find an urgent care center that does not require you to wait very long. When you don’t feel well, a minute can seem like an hour.
That is why an urgent care center can begin addressing your needs when you walk through the door and get you into an exam room as soon as possible. By giving you prompt medical attention, doctors can get right to addressing your concerns.
7. Will I Have to Go Somewhere Else for Tests or X-Rays?
If you are looking for an urgent care center, you would ideally want to have all of the diagnostic tests that are necessary to be readily available. Depending on your illness or injury, you may need throat cultures, lab work, or X-rays. Having to go to a secondary location to have these tests done would delay diagnosis and treatment.
Many urgent care centers have a wide variety of diagnostic tests and X-rays available on-site, so your issue can be diagnosed and treated in a timely and efficient manner – getting you quickly on the road to recovery.
8. Can I Go There for More than Urgent Problems?
Sometimes, what you need is convenience and efficiency. Employers may want their employees to have pre-employment or annual physicals. Injuries at work may require evaluation by a qualified physician. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has specific requirements to evaluate employees and potential employees for health and safety.
Finding an urgent care center whose doctors will perform physicals that are not of an urgent nature, but that need to be done as soon as possible, can eliminate the frustration of trying to get a primary care appointment.
Urgent Care Center in Bucks County
At Patient Care Now Urgent Care, we take pride in the way we treat our patients. We invite you to read our reviews. After you do, we are confident that you will find us to be the best urgent care near you.
Our physicians at Patient Care Now Urgent Care can provide not only treatment for urgent medical needs, but we can perform various other physicals and tests based on the needs of our patients.
Patient Care Now Urgent Care is owned and operated by experienced ER physicians. Need urgent care now? No need to set an appointment – simply walk in, or feel free to call us at (267) 202-6433.
We are open seven days a week all year-round, including holidays. We look forward to taking care of you and your family.
