Urgent Care Medicine differs from Emergency Medicine in that its primary focus is on acute medical problems at the lower end of the severity spectrum. Urgent Care Medicine specialists have expertise evaluating and treating these patients with only simple office-based laboratory tests e. There is no immediate access to extensive laboratory testing or advanced imaging e. Those who present to an urgent care center who, in the judgment of the Urgent Care Medicine specialist, require this, are transferred to a hospital emergency department.
Due to the simpler administrative procedures and costs associated with office-based versus hospital-based practice, similar care in an Urgent Care setting can generally be provided more quickly and economically than in an Emergency Medicine setting.
The area of Emergency Medicine's practice that is distinctive from Urgent Care Medicine involves the definitive care of critically ill patients and the ability to observe patients for an extended period of time. Urgent Care services are medically necessary services which are required for an illness or injury that would not result in further disability or death if not treated immediately, but require professional attention and have the potential to develop such a threat if treatment is delayed longer than 24 hours.
An urgent care condition could be…. These facilities, in outlets such as Walgreens, CVS and Wal-Mart stores, treat a limited set of common illnesses: sore throats, ear infections, sinus infections, women's bladder infections, pinkeye and non-complicated respiratory conditions.
They're staffed by nurse practitioners, nurses with advanced degrees who can write prescriptions. There are approximately 1, retail clinics across the U. The scope of services is broader and includes treatment of wounds, injuries, fractures, asthma attacks and mild concussions. Most centers have X-ray and lab facilities; some are adding more advanced diagnostic equipment.
Physicians typically provide the bulk of medical services, helped by nurses and physicians' assistants. There are an estimated 8, urgent care centers in the U. Intended to provide care to people with serious medical issues that need expert, immediate evaluation and treatment -- conditions such as traumatic injuries, heart attacks and strokes. About 40 percent of patients who visit hospital ERs have conditions that do not require high-level emergency care. Because of overcrowding, waits in ERs average three to four hours, and in some areas are much longer.
Some examples of conditions that need emergency medical care include:. Urgent medical conditions are ones that are not considered emergencies but still require care within 24 hours. Some examples include:. Proper care will be provided at the closest emergency room ER. It is the best option when you require immediate medical attention.
Urgent Care is the middle ground between your primary care provider and the Emergency Department. If you have a minor illness or injury that can't wait until tomorrow, Urgent Care is the way to go.
Also, it is a good option if you have illnesses or injuries without other symptoms, or if you do not have other underlying health conditions. For example, an earache can easily be treated in Urgent Care. However, if it is accompanied by a high fever F or higher , or you have a history of cancer or are on immune-suppressing medication, it is important to have it checked out in the Emergency Department. The team has quick access to expert providers in advanced specialties such as Cardiology, Neurology and Orthopedics.
Emergency Departments also have the imaging and laboratory resources needed to diagnose and deliver care for severe and life-threatening situations.
Typically, Urgent Care clinics are staffed with physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses. Although, some Urgent Care clinics have physicians on staff as well.
Urgent Care providers can order basic labs and imaging tests, such as X-rays, to help them provide diagnoses and develop treatment plans. Urgent Care clinics have set hours and an established list of conditions treated. As a result, Urgent Care clinics often are less expensive and have shorter wait times than Emergency Departments.
Always call and don't drive yourself to the Emergency Department if you are having difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, a life or limb injury, or signs of stroke or heart attack.
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