Many businesses take extended holiday breaks. Some may close just before the Christmas holiday and then reopen after the New Year. It is often common for medical and physician practice offices to do this. Although the employees and the doctors of the medical setting get a nice break, it can be very inconvenient for their patients. Some patients may worry about urgent care during the extended holiday break. It is best to prepare medically before your physician?s office closes for the year.
Get a check up in before they close Some people may wait to see their physician until their symptoms get worse. If you are feeling sick at all, or have a nagging injury that does not seem to get any better, attempt to get into your physician?s office before the holidays. It is best to have the concern taken care of before they close, and you are left seeking a doctor after hours. Sometimes, doctors can identify oncoming illnesses, preparing you for treatment before feeling the full symptoms over their off time.
Ensure you have enough medications to last Many people rely on regular prescriptions for pain relief and control of chronic symptoms. It can be extremely inconvenient to run out of your needed prescription when there is no one in the office to have it refilled. Attempt to refill your prescription early or ask for a second paper prescription that you can provide to your pharmacy, should you run out early. Although urgent care centers are an option for after hours medical care, they may not be able to provide you with regular medication prescriptions.
Get all medical records together, if traveling Sometimes, medical records are required to travel outside of the country. You may also want to have easy access to your medical records if you are traveling out of your own state. If you have to seek medical urgent care in the city you are visiting, the doctor will have an easier time coordinating your medical care if they are familiar with your medical records. Approximately one in five urgent care centers have more than 450 patient visits per week (21.7%). It can be helpful to provide them with your background. Gathering and sending over medical records takes some time, so be sure that you give your physician?s office plenty of notice to provide you with your records.
Find a local urgent care center, before needing it If you experience a medical concern, or one of your children is ill or injured, you do not want to waste your time looking for an urgent care for kids. Do your research of local urgent care centers, before you ever need one. Know their exact location and their hours of operation. The majority of centers remain open until 7PM or later on weeknights (90.6%), with two out of five remaining open until 9PM or later.
Distinguish between urgent care and emergency room When you are faced with a medical concern after hours, you are left with two choices, an urgent care center or the local hospital?s emergency room. Understand the differences between the two so that you can make the right decision when medical care is needed for your family. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under half (48%) of all adult ER patients who were not sick enough to be admitted to the hospital sought treatment at the ER because their physician?s offices were closed. In most cases, an urgent care center would have been ideal for price and convenience.
The holiday season is a time for travel, celebration, and family gathering. Many businesses close to promote family togetherness. Your physician?s office may be one of these offices. If your physician?s office will be closed for an extended period of time, consider preparing all of your medical needs ahead of time. Ensure that you have access to all of your records, that you know where to go for after hour medical care, and that you are up to date on any medical services.