Urgent VS Emergency Conditions
An estimated 3 million patients visit urgent care centers each week, according to the Urgent Care Association of America. Learning the differences between urgent and emergency situations can save you time because an emergency room visit could be longer and more expensive than urgent care.
According to a private study conducted by Milliman, approximately 44-65% of all ER episodes could have been treated in urgent care clinic settings. Roughly 60% of all urgent care centers have a wait time of fewer than 15 minutes to see a physician or mid-level provider, and 65% have a physician on-site at all times.
Differences Between Urgent and Emergency Conditions
It’s important to understand the difference between an urgent and emergency care which can save you time or save your life. Different conditions can determine whether or not you visit the emergency room or urgent care centers.
An emergency condition is one that could impair you or poses a threat to your life. These are medical emergencies and should be handled immediately. Emergency conditions can include deep wounds, fractures, severe head, neck or back injuries and symptoms of stroke.
An urgent medical condition, according to Mount Sinai, is ones that are not considered emergencies but still require care within 24 hours. Some of the Most Common Injuries and Illnesses treated at an Urgent Care are fractures, sprain or strains, whiplash, burns, cuts, and injuries from falls or accidents.
Pediatric and Family Urgent Care
Every year, Americans get approximately 1 billion colds and the average child catches between six and 10 colds a year. Five out of six children will have at least one ear infection before they turn three. Data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) revealed that 8.4% of U.S. children also suffered from hay fever, from respiratory allergies, from food allergies, and skin allergies. All of these can affect your child and all of which can be treated in urgent care facilities across the country.
Urgent care centers handle pediatric and family urgent care as well. Many urgent care centers treat urgent illnesses or injuries while also offering vaccinations, physical exams, screenings and diagnostic tests. If there is an urgent condition, urgent care centers can provide you with pediatric care when your primary care doctor is unavailable.
