Here are few words to know about urgent care:
Urgent: Urgent care centers are designed to provide care for medical issues that require attention within 24 hours, but are not emergencies.
Walk-in: Urgent care centers often accept patients without an appointment, which means that you can simply walk in and be seen by a medical professional.
Triage: When you arrive at an urgent care center, you will be evaluated by a nurse or other medical professional to determine the severity of your condition. This process is called triage.
Co-pay: Like other medical services, urgent care centers may require a co-pay, which is a fixed amount that you pay out of pocket at the time of your visit.
Wait time: Depending on the center's staffing and patient load, there may be a wait time before you can be seen by a medical professional.
X-ray: Many urgent care centers have on-site X-ray machines, which can be used to diagnose bone fractures, pneumonia, and other medical conditions.
Lab work: Some urgent care centers offer on-site lab work, which can be used to test for strep throat, urinary tract infections, and other conditions.
Referral: If your condition requires more specialized care, the medical professional at the urgent care center may refer you to a specialist or to the emergency room.
After-hours care: Urgent care centers are often open after normal business hours, which makes them a convenient option for people who need medical attention outside of regular doctor's office hours.
