What is urgent care medicine?
At its most basic, the emergency department (ED) provides care and treatment for life-threatening conditions. These facilities are available at every hospital, with a dedicated department looking after such patients. However, emergency departments (EDs) are known for pain points such as:
- long waiting times
- difficulty getting same-day sick care
- complex administrative procedures
- higher medical bills
According to a report published by AutoInsurance.org, emergency room visits in the United States have steadily risen in recent years, from 360 visits (per 1,000 persons) in 1995 to 445 in 2017. These factors have also led to the emergence of newer venues. These venues provide 'episodic' care — in other words, they provide acute or primary care but are not the patient's primary care physician (or family doctor). Such venues include retail clinics and urgent care centers, which have expanded tremendously in the past decade. This trend concerns people's increasing willingness to seek care in alternative settings.
Urgent care centers, or UCCs, are medical facilities where patients receive timely and affordable medical treatment. These clinics are designed to address illnesses and medical conditions that pose no imminent threat to life or limb. Because urgent care clinics are office-based, they have shorter wait times and treat patients as quickly as possible. In contrast, emergency rooms are always associated with a hospital. As a result, they have access to specialists and advanced medical equipment — but often at the cost of long waiting times.
As per the Urgent Care Association of America, about 92% of patients at urgent care centers wait 30 minutes or less to consult a practitioner. Such centers also operate for extended hours (including nights and weekends), providing an alternative to the emergency room. They are also convenient for patients traveling out of town or during the holiday (when your family doctor's office is closed).
In such cases, the patients can book a visit to the nearest urgent care center. This makes care accessible to all patients without burdening the emergency departments. Moreover, seeking care for low-acuity (i.e., non-life-threatening and less severe) conditions can lead to higher bills at the emergency department. Even for individuals with the same diagnosis, treatment costs can rise to ten times more in emergency rooms. The average treatment cost at emergency rooms is about $2,200, far higher than the $168 average at an urgent care center, per a 2016 study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Education and qualifications of an urgent care physician
Urgent care is a field of medicine that encompasses a wide array of medical specialists. Most of these practitioners typically have family medicine and internal medicine backgrounds. General family physicians usually hold a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. To qualify, they must complete a three-year residency in family medicine and obtain state-specific licensure to practice within their respective states.
Internists at urgent care centers possess similar degrees and qualifications as family physicians, but their residency training differs. Internists undergo an additional three years of specialized training in internal medicine, focusing on diagnosing and managing various diseases. Due to the broad and diverse nature of the field, the educational backgrounds of doctors practicing in urgent care can vary significantly from one specialty to another.
Urgent care centers commit to delivering high-quality and timely medical care, and they achieve this by assembling a diverse team of healthcare professionals. Apart from licensed doctors, urgent care centers also enlist the services of the following healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive urgent care near you:
- Physician assistants (PA): PAs are licensed healthcare providers with clinical training in patient diagnosis and treatment planning. It is important to note that PAs always work under the supervision of doctors.
- Nurse practitioners (NP): NPs possess advanced training and can perform tasks similar to PAs. While they typically work under a physician's supervision, some US states permit NPs to make diagnoses and prescribe medications independently.
- Registered nurses (RN): RNs play a crucial role in documenting patient information, maintaining communication with patients and their families, tending to wounds, and carrying out various direct patient care tasks.
- X-ray technicians (radiologic technologists): Urgent care centers equipped with X-ray machines employ technicians formally trained to perform X-rays, CT scans, and other medical imaging procedures.
- Medical assistants: Medical assistants provide valuable support to on-site doctors, NPs, and PAs. Their responsibilities include collecting patient medical histories, monitoring vital signs, and assisting front desk staff with administrative tasks.
Why visit an urgent care center?
There is no one correct reason to visit an urgent care center. Most patients who go to the emergency department can be treated at urgent care sites. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1% of emergency hospital visits require immediate and prompt attention.
Only 9.9% are classified as emanating or emergent — where emergent conditions can lead to death or significant harm. A third of visits to the emergency department are considered urgent, and roughly another one-third are categorized as less-than-urgent. Only 10% of trips to the emergency room are actual emergencies.
Common medical conditions addressed at urgent care centers include:
- Infections of the upper respiratory tract
Upper respiratory tract infections are self-limited irritation and swelling of the upper airways with concomitant cough and no evidence of pneumonia in a patient with no other underlying medical condition or a history of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Upper respiratory tract infections affect the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, and central airways. Rhinosinusitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and ear infections are a few conditions treated at UCCs.
More than 150 ailments and diseases of the musculoskeletal system impair people's locomotor systems. UCCs can treat muscle, nerve, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal disc injuries and illnesses. They can range from injuries that occur quickly and are only temporary, such as fractures, sprains, strains, knee dislocations, and bursitis, to long-term conditions like back pain that cause functional limits and impairments.
Musculoskeletal disorders are also the preceding cause of global rehabilitation needs. They account for more than two-thirds of all adults in need of rehabilitation and are among the significant contributors to the demand for rehabilitation services among children. A recent examination of the Global Burden of Disease data shows that roughly 1.71 billion individuals worldwide have musculoskeletal disorders.
- Symptoms without a particular diagnosis and other minor conditions
Sometimes, stomach aches or headaches can signal an underlying disease. You could visit an urgent care center to rule out such a possibility. The physician will analyze your symptoms in the context of your medical history and other risk factors (such as age and sex) to make a diagnosis. You may also see an urgent care physician for many conditions, such as allergies, bug bites, rashes, contact dermatitis, conjunctivitis, constipation, and eye injuries.
Skin disorders are illnesses that affect the immediate surface of your skin. They may take the form of rashes, inflammation, itching, etc. Most dermatological disorders are the product of both genetics and lifestyle factors. Patients commonly visit an urgent care center for conditions such as cellulitis, abscesses, burns, and lacerations.
What should you expect before and during an urgent care visit?
As explained above, urgent care can be a convenient option when your primary care doctor's office is closed or when you need quicker attention than a scheduled appointment can provide. Here's how to prepare for and what to expect during an urgent care visit:
Before your visit:
- Plan ahead: Familiarize yourself with the urgent care process. This will help you feel prepared and ensure a smooth experience.
- Gather information: Have details about your medical history ready, including any current medications (both over-the-counter and prescription), allergies, and past medical conditions.
- Carry all necessary documents: Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, payment options, and a list of any medications you're currently taking. It is also helpful to have your emergency contact information on hand.
- Urgent care wait times: Assess how long you are comfortable waiting and choose a clinic accordingly. Wait times can depend on the time and day of your visit. Many centers offer online check-ins that can reduce your wait time.
At your visit:
- Arrival: Upon arrival, check in at the front desk and provide your name and the reason for your visit. Be prepared to complete paperwork regarding your medical history and current symptoms. You may also need to pay for your visit at this time or provide your insurance information for payment.
- Triage: A nurse or medical assistant will take your vitals and ask additional questions about your condition.
- Exam: A healthcare provider will examine you, go through your medical history, and create a treatment plan.
- Treatment and medication: Based on your condition, you may receive treatment at the urgent care center, a prescription, or recommendations for over-the-counter medications.
- Aftercare instructions: The doctor will give you clear aftercare instructions, including any follow-up appointments you may need with your primary care physician.
Find urgent care near you in Las Vegas, NV
Healthcare at the emergency department is often expensive and leads to significantly greater out-of-pocket costs than those at an urgent care clinic. Moreover, if your condition does not qualify as a medical emergency, you risk long wait times — leading to loss of productivity at school or work. However, finding a trustworthy urgent care clinic can prove challenging, especially if it is your first visit.
With Zocdoc, you can quickly find an urgent care center near you. You can also rely on verified patient reviews. Moreover, Zocdoc has a detailed profile for each listed provider, meaning you can carefully scrutinize a physician's background before choosing. These profiles include the doctor's medical degrees, board certifications and licensure, and top clinical interests. You can also take a look at their customer ratings.
If your insurance plan is not listed on Zocdoc, try uploading a photo of your card. We will scan the image and display the most suitable plan for you. Contact the Zocdoc patient's help center if you are experiencing any insurance-related problems.
If you are worried about your budget, find an in-network provider. Add your insurance carrier's name to the search query, and we will display the best doctors near you who accept your insurance. Thanks to Zocdoc's comprehensive healthcare directory, you can find the best urgent care providers near you in Las Vegas, NV.
Urgent care statistics in Las Vegas, NV, and the US
Approximately 20% of adults in the United States seek medical attention in an emergency room. According to the National Institutes of Health, between 13.7% and 27.1% of all emergency room visits could be handled in alternate care venues, such as urgent care centers. Overall, this may save an estimated $4.4 billion each year.
The average wait time to see a doctor in the United States is 18 minutes and 13 seconds across specialties — 22 seconds down from last year's figure. However, according to Vitals' annual Physician Wait Time Report, patient wait times vary dramatically across cities. According to the 2018 report, Las Vegas had 21 minutes and 19 seconds wait times, respectively, ranked fourth out of the five cities with the shortest wait periods.
Sources
US News
American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
World Health Organization
National Institute of Health
Becker's Hospital Review
MD.com
Healthgrades
Emergency Physicians.org
Banner Health
