Urgent Care clinics have become quite a necessity in recent times. Society requires the most out of everyone, often leaving little to no time for extended medical clinic visits. Most times we need quick, reliable medical attention for easily treatable ailments, the ability to meet demanding schedules, and maintain the same amount of compassion and professionalism without an inflated cost. On average, individuals tend to suffer from non-life-threatening injuries far more, such as ankle sprains to DOT physical, making urgent care centers the ideal place to go for urgent care clinics have become quite a necessity in recent times. Society requires the most out of everyone, often leaving little to no time for extended medical visits. Most times we need quick, reliable medical attention for easily treatable ailments, the ability to meet demanding schedules, and maintain the same amount of compassion and professionalism without an inflated cost. Statistics showed in 2012, the most common diagnosis in an urgent care facility was upper respiratory conditions, while the most common procedure was wound repair.
What Is Urgent Care?
Urgent care is an alternative medical service that focuses on providing ambulatory care outside of a traditional emergency room. Urgent care centers are primarily used for non-immediate care to treat injuries and illnesses such as colds flu, DOT physical, sprains, X-Rays, stitches, minor infections and wounds, and bruises. Statistics account for approximately 3 million patients who visit urgent care for flu, colds, or any related symptoms, as reported by the Urgent Care Association of America. Additionally, urgent care provides personalized care with doctors that are accessible throughout nearly eighty-five percent of medical clinic centers. Urgent care is open seven days a week with online appointment-making options available.
What Is A DOT Physical?
People who are designated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) have to undergo a DOT physical, consisting of drug and alcohol testing as a sensitive safety employee. The physical is only to be conducted at a certified medical facility under strict guidelines that adhere to their policies as an employee. Urgent care facilities are typically granted the jurisdiction over DOT physical exams because they can govern the rules and regulations of the Department of Transportation without fault to provide the most accurate test result possible. According to statistics, there are 200,000 physicians staffed who practice Urgent Care medicine. Similar to DOT, many branches of the government allow local urgent care clinics to oversee the testing process because some of the top rate services and doctors are staffed and equipped to undergo physical exams readily and drug and alcohol testing for companies and government officials, alike.
What Other Injuries Can Urgent Care Treat?
Urgent medical care can treat a wide array of injuries and illnesses, alike. Most patients are able to be seen quickly and treat their injuries with the utmost efficiency and professionalism possible. Medical clinics can treat allergies, minor burns, colds, earaches, fevers, flu, minor fractures, rashes, TB infection, sore throat, and sprains as well as perform DOT physicals and STD testing. Most urgent care facilities are equipped with the necessary training and equipment to perform similar care properly an emergency room physician would.
The Advantages Of Urgent Care
The primary reason urgent care is so popular is the ability it has to be as flexible as anyone’s schedule is. There’s no appointment needed, as urgent care operates on a walk-in basis, which most people tend to find far more convenient than a hospital visit. The functionality of urgent care is essentially a seamless medical service that allows people the care they require without the excessive stress of time-constraints or high fees; they’re focused on providing quality medical attention to patients who sometimes include top doctors and optimal care procedures that make them choose urgent care over ER services. Research reveals nearly 69% of Americans suffer from lower back pain that affects their day-to-day lives, most of which are baby boomers or young adults, who are the most seen patients in urgent care on a daily basis. However, over 40% of people who suffer from long-term back pain doesn’t seek medical attention, typically because of the long wait times, unprofessional staff, and high fees associated with emergency room care. Urgent care provides optimal medical care that is affordable for nearly everyone.