Nobody feels great all of the time. Everybody has their aches and pains, and most of the time they’re really nothing to worry about. Sometimes, however, there’s not only something to worry about but something you should really be concerned with. Then there are the more obvious instances in which people need to see a medical professional sooner rather than later. However, going to the doctor is not always an option — many private practices have regular hours that are strictly observed. In case of emergency, you’re often advised to go to an emergency room. But just because we want something looked at quickly doesn’t mean we always want to go to the emergency room — for a number of reasons, as you’ll discover below. This is why, more and more frequently, people are turning to after hours urgent care centers rather than emergency rooms or major hospitals. Let’s look into what after hours urgent care clinics have to offer, and why they might be great alternatives to emergency room visits. You would be amazed by the amount of time and money they can save you without you having to sacrifice the level of care you receive.
Why Do People Need Urgent Care Centers?
There are a number of reasons why people may need to visit urgent care centers. Many times, people seek out after hours urgent care due to broken bones or bad cuts. While it’s true that four out of five after hours urgent care centers provide fracture care, this is not always the case. Sometimes, chronic pain can lead people to seek out after hours urgent care simply because they can get the medication and regular checkups they need at such clinics. After all, 69% of Americans exercise to relieve lower back pain. For that matter, by 2030 it’s believed that six out of 10 Baby Boomers will be dealing with a chronic condition of some kind. Many people visit after hours urgent care for this reason — proving that not every reason why people go to urgent care clinics is as urgent as a broken bone. But there are practical reasons behind why people visit after hours urgent care. After all, 85% of urgent care centers are open seven days a week. Some are also open 24 hours a day. This means that people can visit these centers after work, or at another time that is more convenient for them.
Why Do People Choose Urgent Care Over The Emergency Room?
It’s true that there are certain types of injuries or illnesses that require emergency room care. But unless your situation is very urgent, you’ll likely end up waiting hours to be seen at an emergency room. This means hours of discomfort and potentially your day wasted without care. An urgent care center, on the other hand, can see you quickly and efficiently. Another benefit of these centers is that the care they provide is low-cost. An emergency room visit, on the other hand, can costs hundreds of dollars. Many people just can’t afford that. If this sounds like you, then you may be better off going to an urgent care center.
What Can You Have Done At An Urgent Care Center?
Of course, an urgent care center’s service are different from center to center. But usually, medical professionals are employed at urgent care clinics. And for that matter, much of the time these professionals are fully qualified physicians. Another reason why many people choose these centers is that their services are varied. You can have private tests done — such as STD tests — and can also take care of things like broken bones and stitches. Many people can get the medication they need at such clinics, reducing fevers and dealing with viruses. The fact is that the care you get at urgent care centers is not very different from what you would get at an emergency room or even your doctor’s office.