What To Expect From An Urgent Care Clinic?

Today, urgent care clinics offer a convenient service that is professional, quick and less expensive than a traditional emergency room service. These facilities do not require an appointment prior to arrival, and are often open on weekends and off hours when most local physician's offices are closed. Urgent Care Clinics are now located throughout the United States and some insurance plans have lower copays for urgent cares then emergency room copays.

Urgent Or Emergency?

While the terms urgent and emergency have similar meanings, when it comes to the administration of life saving procedures, the two are quite different. Emergency care relates to a life threatening situation such as a heart attack or stroke which needs immediate attention, whereas an urgent care case can be a situation as minor as a sore throat or cut that may require immediate attention, but not life threatening.

1. A Shorter Wait

Urgent care clinics offer a shorter wait time than the typical emergency room or physician's waiting room. In and out times on average is 45 minutes verses hours at the emergency room.

2. Diagnostic Testing

When it comes to diagnostic testing, RedMed urgent care in Pontotoc MS has an advantage over the conventional physician's office. Urgent care facilities are also equipped with x-ray machines to diagnose breaks and fractures.

3. Your Primary Care Physician

So where does your primary care physician fit in not that urgent clinics are a viable option? According to Regal Medical Group (RMG), the first call that you should make for immediate care is to your primary physician who can decide the suitable treatment for your medical situation. In most cases, your primary physician will suggest you to visit an urgent care in Pontotoc when he is unable to see you or after hours.