When an unexpected health issue arises, your first thought may be to head to the nearest emergency room (ER). But when those illnesses and injuries aren’t true emergencies, visiting an urgent care center may be your best option for care and can save you both time and money.
Urgent care centers, such as CityDoc Urgent Care, offer high-quality care for common illnesses and non-life threatening injuries, with walk-in, after-hours and weekend availability. Due to shorter wait times and lower cost, urgent care centers often are a more convenient and affordable option for a variety of health situations.
Is it an urgency or an emergency? That’s what you need to ask yourself.
According to the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA), up to 27% of all ER visits could take place at an urgent care center. The use of urgent care centers is a suitable, more affordable alternative to the ER for less serious issues, such as the following:
Strains and Sprains
Rashes and Minor Burns
Ear or Sinus Pain
Cold/Flu, Bronchitis & Mild Asthma
Cough or Sore Throat
Foreign Object in Eye/Nose
Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
Minor Allergic Reactions
Skin infections, MRSA, Abscesses & Insect Bites
Lacerations, Cuts, Scrapes & Stitches
Minor Fractures
Chest, Abdominal & Back Pain
Occupational Medicine
Travel Medicine & Vaccines
Zika Virus Testing
When to head to the ERUrgent care is not appropriate for all situations and is not appropriate for emergency care. Emergency rooms are equipped to handle life- and limb-threatening situations like heart attacks, strokes, major bleeding and severe burns.
If you are contacting CityDoc after hours of operation or feel that you are having an emergency, please dial 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
Source: Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA)