You've got a sore throat or a deep cut that needs medical attention now, but you don't think it warrants a trip to the emergency room (ER). Is going to an urgent care center a sound alternative?
"In these cases, call your primary care provider first," says Michele Bellantoni, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of Johns Hopkins Bayview Care Center. "This is particularly important for patients with chronic conditions, because a healthcare provider familiar with your medical history will be able to tell you whether a problem that appears small actually requires complex care. No matter where you seek medical attention, it's also necessary to keep your primary provider informed about any medical problems you're facing."
Urgent care centers are staffed with licensed physicians (and are not to be confused with retail clinics in pharmacies and chain stores, which are typically run by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who perform screenings and treat minor illnesses).
Many urgent care facilities offer services your doctor's office likely does not provide, including x-rays, on-site lab work, and suturing. Other major advantages of urgent care are speed and cost. In some states, the average wait time in the ER for a patient with a non-emergency ailment is more than four hours, and services typically cost $1,000-plus.
At an urgent care center, the bill may be five times less than the ER, and patients generally wait no more than an hour. That's why thousands of these facilities are springing up throughout the country. In fact, many are affiliated with hospitals (including Johns Hopkins), which have started offering urgent care to expand business and relieve busy ERs.
If you're not sure whether you or a companion is experiencing an emergency, play it safe and go to the ER -- particularly for symptoms of a heart attack (like chest pain) or a stroke (like sudden vision changes, slurred speech, one-sided weakness, or mental confusion).
Practicalities. Research urgent care facilities in your area so if you face a non-emergency problem, you'll know where to go. The website www.findurgentcare.com will give you a list of centers in and near your zip code. Find out which accept your insurance and when they're open. While urgent care centers have expanded evening and weekend hours, most aren't open 24 hours a day like ERs.
Info To Bring Along. Whether you're visiting an urgent care center or the ER, always bring a copy of your essential medical information. Make a list with the following items and keep it in an accessible place (like on the refrigerator), so you can grab it quickly before you seek medical attention:
- The name, address, phone number, and fax number of your primary care provider
- Your current medical conditions
- Your current medications, along with dosages
- Drug allergies
