Did you know that as many as three million people visit walk in urgent care centers every week? They’re easy to find and 85% of urgent care clinics are open every day of the week. Four out of five walk in clinics can care for fractures, and there are an estimated 20,000 doctors working in walk in urgent care centers around the country. Walk-in urgent care centers are a great place to get fast care for a wide variety of medical needs. Here are six great reasons to check out an urgent care clinic near you:
Injuries
No one likes them, but we all get them from time to time. Every day an estimated 25,000 people in the United States will sprain an ankle! If you need stitches, have some minor burns, sprained or pulled something, or even suspect a fracture, an urgent care center is a great place to be seen.
Checkups
Many walk in urgent care centers can provide preventative care and routine medical procedures. This includes blood work, testing for STDs, physicals, and vaccines. Is it time for this year’s flu shots? You have a good reason to check out a walk in clinic.
Illnesses
Every year about a billion people get colds. Another 5% to 20% of the population will come down with the flu each year. Urinary tract infections result in more than eight million doctors visits every year, and if you have children you know all about ear infections. None of these illnesses are usually cause to head to the emergency room, so if you do need medical help an urgent care center is just the place to get it.
Skin Problems
Poison ivy and poison oak are just two of the possible skin irritants out there. About 85% of people in the United States are allergic to poison ivy, which is unfortunate considering it’s found in every state in the union with the exception of Hawaii and Alaska. If you or someone in your family has developed a rash or needs help with warts or skin tags, walk in urgent care centers can provide good care for these issues.
To Save Money
Even getting a few stitches at a hospital emergency room can end up costing more than $1,000 because of the high cost of overhead, staff needs, and resources at an emergency room. Those same stitches at an urgent care center would probably run less than $200. If you need medical care and want to save money, walk in urgent care centers are a great choice.
To Save Time
Walk in urgent care centers are far more flexible in terms of hours than most doctor’s offices. They are usually open in the evenings and on weekends, and some will be open 24 hours a day. The average wait time is also far shorter than an emergency room visit.
If you or someone you love needs medical care for a condition that is not life-threatening, and you want care for a reasonable price that fits in your busy schedule, walk in urgent care centers are just the place. Urgent care centers have become very popular for healthcare needs, so be sure to find out why the next time you need medical attention.