As recently as a decade ago, hospitals were confined to a small area and served a single town. A trip to the emergency department may be planned for when you require stitches or if you have injured your ankle.
Even so, things have evolved. The emergency departments of hospitals are pretty busy these days. They are often short-staffed and overloaded because of the high volume of emergencies. If you have a burn or sore throat and go to an emergency department today, you may expect to wait a long time before seeing a doctor.
Most urgent care clinics have extended hours year-round because medical emergencies don’t usually occur during regular business hours (including most major holidays). To fill this need, urgent care clinic near me has stepped in because they provide walk-in care, more flexible hours, and quick treatment for urgent but not life-threatening crises. As in an emergency room, walk-ins are welcome in urgent care facilities. They bridge the gap between standard hospital emergency rooms and doctor’s offices.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Northridge Urgent Care?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a disease or injury that requires immediate medical treatment, you should go to an urgent care clinic. While an acute condition isn’t quite bad enough to warrant an emergency room visit, it still has to be taken care of (if your primary care doctor is unavailable).
Most hospitals offer on-site X-ray and laboratory facilities to treat fractures, provide IV fluids, and test blood samples. These extra services include school and sports physicals, vaccines, and occupational medicine at many urgent care locations.
Why Go To An Urgent Care Facility Rather Of A Doctor’s Office?
To keep costs down, Northridge urgent care facilities provide patients with the services they need. Even while emergency rooms are well-equipped to deal with life-threatening situations, the exorbitant expense of accessing a facility built for this level of medical treatment is reflected in the bills they issue. As a consequence, urgent care clinics’ treatment expenses are often cheaper.
As a result, emergency department personnel may devote their attention only to patients in dire need of life-saving treatment.
What Sorts Of Services Are Offered At An Urgent Care Facility?
Listed below are some of the most typical urgent care services provided by an urgent care facility. While Northridge urgent care is recognized for its urgent care services, many centers also offer other non-urgent services.
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Common Colds And Flu
Many of the symptoms of a cold or the flu may be alleviated with treatment. Emergency care services might benefit those with a chronic illness or a damaged immune system.
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Medications For Stomach Aches And Ear Infections
Two of the most prevalent causes of seeking urgent care are stomach aches and ear infections.
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Medical Attention For Small Wounds
Minor burns, lacerations, sprains, and fractures are just a few minor injuries that may be treated in an urgent care facility.
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Check-Ups For Athletics And Academics
Before joining a sports team or entering school, children generally need a school or sports physical, which may be provided in an urgent care setting.
Services For The Laboratory
A wide range of laboratory testing is available at most urgent care clinics to effectively identify and treat patients. Lab services may be combined with other treatment procedures, diagnostics, and more. Emergency rooms and general care doctors both provide the same laboratory tests as urgent care centers do. There are several lab options available, including:
- An antibody test for COVID-19
- Basic and thorough metabolic panel blood tests, as well as complete blood counts
- Urinalysis
- Drug screens and testing
- Ominous traces of feces’ blood
- Testing for influenza and fast flu tests
- The strep tests
- INR / PT testing
The Bottom Line
Although you are not required to make an appointment to visit these institutions, doing so in advance may help you avoid long lines. For chronic conditions that can wait, it’s best to consult a doctor or other healthcare expert you’ve already seen. A mild, acute condition that can’t wait for an appointment may typically be treated in Northridge urgent care.
