What is the difference between going to an urgent care clinic or a hospital’s emergency room (ER)? This is actually a very straightforward distinction.
For life-threatening emergencies, such as a heart attack or injuries sustained from an accident, you should visit the ER. For injuries or illnesses which should be handled soon but are not imminently life-threatening, an urgent care center is the best place to go.
Urgent Medical Conditions
There are many reasons why you would go to an urgent care clinic. First, urgent care doctors serve as an excellent alternative if your primary care physician is unavailable.
Also, urgent care clinics offer extended hours so patients can visit before or after work or school. They are very convenient for getting immunizations and X-rays, and they are usually much less costly than having the same services done in the ER.
Urgent care clinics are well-equipped and capable of treating various ailments – from pink eye to fractures and injures that require stitches. They also offer digital imaging and lab testing services that can help a physician diagnose a condition for quick treatment.
How Can an Urgent Care Clinic Help Me?
The following is a list of common health conditions and injuries that are treated at an urgent care facility:
Accidents and Falls
If you have been in a minor accident or have taken a hard fall, it is ideal to go to an urgent care center to be checked immediately for any fractures or internal injuries. They offer services such as laboratory tests and X-rays.
Cuts that Need Stitches
Most cuts only need disinfection with hydrogen peroxide and a bandage, but some require stitches to prevent further damage and infection. It is better to overreact to a large cut by visiting an urgent care than to self-diagnose and perhaps develop a serious infection later.
Breathing Difficulties
You may experience mild to moderate asthma, even though you never had it before. If you are having strange issues with breathing, see an urgent care doctor to have your condition evaluated and treated.
Fever or Flu
If your fever or flu is not getting better after medication and rest, it is best to visit an urgent care doctor. They will be able to see you quickly, and they can prescribe medication that will shorten the duration of your sickness.
- Other Urgent but Minor Health Issues
- Other health problems that are ideally addressed by an urgent care center include:
- Minor broken bones and fractures
- Back problems
- Severe sore throat or coughs
- Skin infections
- Sprains and strains
- Urinary tract infections
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Choosing the Right Health Care
If you think you might need a medical evaluation for a condition that is hurting or bothering you, your best option is to head over to the nearest urgent care center. It’s a good idea to first check their website or call them to find out whether or not they accept your health insurance, the hours of operation, and whether they perform specific treatments.
Urgent Care in Levittown
If you are in a medical situation requiring prompt treatment, visit the Patient Care Now Urgent Care clinic in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, just northwest of Levittown. Contact us by calling (267) 202-6433 for more information, or fill out our check-in form online. We look forward to taking care of you
