Every year, according to the CDC, there are around a billion visits to the doctor in the United States. People need to seek professional medical help for all kinds of reasons, including everything from broken bones to serious illness. Stats from the CDC show that the most commonly diagnosed issue in the U.S. is hypertension, but it is hardly the only reason people go to the doctor. Unfortunately, injuries and illnesses don’t only arise during business hours, and many people depend on after hour care to get healthy. If that happens to you or your children, then heading to an urgent care facility is the better option than waiting until the next morning to see the doctor.
While some might be hesitant to head to walk in clinics for fear that they won’t get the same care as they would from primary care physicians, they actually offer a wide range of treatments and procedures. Urgent care clinics might not provide advanced diagnostics or physical therapy, but they have the ability to perform x-rays, prescribe antibiotics and other drugs, and, in many cases, run blood work. As a result, they are a great resource for diagnosing and treating a huge number of acute conditions that can arise at any time, no matter how inconvenient.
In addition to the extensive treatments available at after hour care facilities, many patients will head there for the more convenient experience. Though they generally do not accept scheduled appointments, lines tend to be short and you are usually able to get in and out quickly. Unlike crowded doctor’s office waiting rooms, walk in clinics tend to be more open, doctors are more readily available, and you won’t have to spend an entire afternoon in the office to get seen. So whether you need medical assistance late at night or on your lunch break, urgent care centers are a nice alternative to other options.
As an added bonus, walk in clinics tend to be less costly than the emergency room. Going to the ER might be the only option if you have a serious accident or life-threatening condition, it will always be more expensive than an urgent care center. Though getting healthy, rather than saving money, should be the priority when you need after hour care, keeping cost in mind is always smart when possible.
Finding health care during inconvenient hours can be a bit tricky, and it can be tempting to wait until morning and schedule an appointment, even if you are in discomfort. But for serious issues, heading to walk in clinics that offer after hour care is the best way to get treated effectively and without too much inconvenience. Helpful info also found here.