Life is unpredictable. Accidents can happen at any time. A child learning to walk may take a fall. A person may get hurt. But not every injury needs a trip to the emergency room (ER). Urgent Care Centers provide quick treatment for minor injuries. They help patients avoid long ER wait times. Urgent Care also helps avoid high costs.
This blog explains the role of Urgent Care in treating small injuries. You will learn when to visit Urgent Care and what injuries they treat. You will also learn how they compare to the ER.
What Is Urgent Care?
Urgent Care provides care for small injuries that do not require emergency treatment. They serve as a bridge between Primary Care and the ER. According to UCLA Health, Urgent Care Centers accept walk-ins. These centers also accept scheduled appointments. Some allow patients to check in before arriving. If a condition is serious, Urgent Care providers will refer patients to the ER.
When to Go to Urgent Care
Urgent Care is best for small injuries. It also treats illnesses that need treatment but are not emergencies. These conditions can be painful but are not deadly.
Dignity Health states that if you can move without severe pain, Urgent Care is the best choice. Scripps Health recommends Urgent Care for low-grade fevers, stomach pain, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, sprains, and mild allergic reactions. They also treat dehydration, small infections, and small cuts that may need stitches.
Injuries Treated at Urgent Care
Urgent Care Centers treat many injuries. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) states that they provide X-rays for small fractures. The University of Chicago Medical Center (UChicago Medicine) adds that Urgent Care also treats joint pain, rashes, insect bites, minor head injuries, and respiratory illnesses.
Common injuries treated at Urgent Care include:
- Small cuts: Providers clean and stitch minor cuts. UCLA Health warns that deep cuts with heavy bleeding should be treated at the ER.
- Sprains and muscle strains: NLM states that Urgent Care offers X-rays. They can apply splints or bandages.
- Small fractures: Urgent Care can treat small bone fractures. But, Dignity Health recommends visiting the ER for severe fractures.
- Mild burns: UChicago Medicine states that Urgent Care can treat small burns. Deep burns from electricity or chemicals need emergency care.
Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room: Important Differences
It is important to know when to choose Urgent Care or the ER. UCLA Health, Scripps Health, and UChicago Medicine offer guidance.
Urgent Care is best for:
- Small cuts that may need stitches
- Small fractures or sprains
- Mild allergic reactions
- Low-grade fevers
- Mild infections and respiratory illnesses
Emergency rooms are for more serious conditions, including:
- Heavy bleeding
- Large or deep burns
- Trouble breathing
- Head or eye injuries
- Seizures
- Bad cold or flu symptoms
- Suicidal thoughts
Scripps Health advises trusting your instincts. If an injury seems serious, go to the ER.
Visit Clinicas
At Clinicas del Camino Real Inc., we offer CAREPLUS Urgent Care Services for non-emergency, affordable care. No appointment is needed. We also provide CAREPLUS Urgent Care Virtual Visits, allowing patients to get care from their devices.
If you need medical attention that is not severe, visit us today. Urgent Care reduces costs and wait times. These centers prevent problems by providing fast, quality treatment.