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Urgent care centers and acute care medicine

Urgent care clinics have professional staff with the knowledge, training, and experience to provide emergency care to patients with conditions that do not require ambulatory service. Such situations cause suffering and loss of productivity, but they are not life-threatening. At urgent care clinics, you will find physicians and mid-level practitioners supported by a balance of:

• front desk staff
• physician practitioners
• radiologists
• respiratory technicians (also known as respiratory therapists)
• emergency medical care practitioners
• In a few urgent care centers, mid-level providers, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners are considered the highest-level providers.

Most patients can find the proper treatment at the urgent care center. However, about 3% of patients need care in a hospital emergency room instead. Urgent care specialists can provide holistic and comprehensive treatment plans for most low-acuity conditions. In recent years, the top five recorded diagnoses at urgent care centers were:

• acute upper respiratory infections
• acute sinusitis
• acute pharyngitis
• cough, and
• acute bronchitis

This also explains why urgent care clinics are crucial to relieving the pressure on emergency rooms. Many patients who visit the emergency room (ER) do not receive emergency care. Often, these patients have minor or moderate injuries that do not threaten life. In other cases, the patient may only need a regular health checkup to rule out anything amiss. Urgent care centers can provide adequate medical care to these patients and conduct diagnostic tests such as X-rays.

Services at urgent care facilities

According to the Urgent Care Association of America and the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine, urgent care clinics have few rules or statewide licensing requirements. However, in general, urgent care centers:

• Are accessible to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Have several waiting or examination rooms.
• Have on-site medical equipment.
• Have a licensed physician or an emergency medicine specialist aided by a team of medical professionals.
• Accept walk-in patients during business hours.
• Treat an array of conditions, injuries, and diseases.
• Perform minor medical procedures that do not require surgical interventions.

While some urgent care centers are well equipped to offer the same services as hospital emergency rooms or departments, most only give the most basic screening tests. Read on to learn more about them.

Which screening tests are available at urgent care centers?

The following is a list of standard screening tests available at urgent care centers. Most urgent care clinics have essential diagnostic equipment (such as an on-site X-ray machine or laboratory tests). However, unlike emergency services, only a few urgent care clinics offer more advanced imaging services such as pediatric X-rays or CT scans.

• Blood pressure and sugar levels— These are some of the first tests conducted on newly arriving patients. Blood pressure means the force of the blood your heart pumps into various arteries. Low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause fatigue, dizziness, or nausea. On the other hand, high blood pressure (hypertension) often goes undetected until identified by a blood pressure test. Hypertension may cause headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds. Blood sugar tests measure the glucose levels in a person's bloodstream, which is essential to managing diabetes.
• Laboratory tests— Blood, urine, or body tissue samples are tested in a laboratory. The test samples are analyzed by a technician (or your doctor). They check if the findings are within the usual range. The tests employ a range because what is typical varies from person to person. However, test outcomes depend on various factors—gender, age, ethnicity, diet, and any prescription medications the patient may be taking. These tests also help diagnose and treat many underlying medical disorders.
• STD testing— STD tests diagnose sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which usually result from unprotected sexual contact. Typically, an STD infection does not have any clear indication, and many STIs go undetected. Common examples of STDs include HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. STIs may lead to symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, burning while peeing, swollen glands, and exhaustion.
• CT scans are diagnostic imaging procedures that produce 360-degree views of a patient's body structure. They are quick and precise, although the price varies dramatically across sites. CT scans can be beneficial for diagnosing blood clots, bone fractures that are not evident on an X-ray, and damage to internal organs.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans—MRI scans are a sophisticated method for detecting injuries to the body's soft tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. Because MRI scanners are capital-intensive machines, only some urgent care clinics have them. Physicians use MRI scans to diagnose joint inflammations, spinal injuries, meniscal tears, ACL injuries, sprains and strains, and rotator cuff tears.

Things to know before seeking urgent care near you

Urgent care centers offer convenient access to medical attention without prior appointments, as many operate on a walk-in basis. However, some centers accommodate appointments, and calling ahead can help minimize wait times by reserving a time slot. Even if appointments aren't available, online check-in systems can streamline the process by allowing you to provide necessary information beforehand and prepare for your arrival.

Choosing a suitable urgent care facility is crucial for receiving specialized care tailored to your needs. For example, if your child requires medical attention, selecting a center with pediatric specialists ensures appropriate care—similarly, clinics specializing in orthopedics or women's health address specific medical concerns more effectively.

Strategically timing your visit to an urgent care center can also expedite care. Avoiding peak hours such as nights, weekends, and holidays can reduce wait times, as these are typically busier periods when primary care offices are closed. Checking the estimated wait time before leaving home can help you plan accordingly and receive prompt attention.

It's essential to be aware that while most urgent care centers have doctors on staff, you may also be seen by physician assistants or nurse practitioners. Bringing relevant medical documentation, including medication lists, insurance information, and records of past diagnoses and vaccinations, facilitates a smoother process and ensures comprehensive care.

In summary, while urgent care centers offer convenient walk-in services, optimizing your experience involves proactive steps such as making appointments or using online check-in systems, selecting a facility specializing in your medical needs, timing your visit to avoid peak hours, and bringing relevant medical documentation and identification. These measures streamline the process and ensure efficient and effective care delivery.

How should I prepare to visit an urgent care center?

Generally, people visit an urgent care center only when they require immediate care or for medical tests. Hence, unlike primary care doctors, these centers do not maintain patients' medical records. So, carry a list of your medications and all the necessary medical records when you visit an urgent care center. 

Here is a checklist that will help you carry the correct information - 

• a picture ID that can verify your identity
• the name and office contact details of your primary care doctor or referring physician
• a note your family's medical history
• any important medical diagnoses 
• your vaccination history
• names of the prescription medications you are taking
• most recent health insurance information
• be prepared for any payments or copays

Emergency departments versus urgent care clinics

When seeking medical attention, understanding the distinction between emergency departments and urgent care clinics is crucial to ensure you receive the right level of care. While both provide vital services, they cater to different levels of severity in health conditions, staffing, and available resources. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of their differences to help you make informed decisions during medical situations:

Hours and staff

Emergency Departments operate 24/7, ensuring round-the-clock care from a team of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses specializing in emergency medicine. These departments also have rapid access to advanced cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics specialists, as well as comprehensive imaging and laboratory resources for diagnosing and managing severe medical conditions.

Urgent care clinics, in contrast, function during set hours and typically employ physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses, with some clinics also including physicians. These clinics can perform basic lab tests and imaging to diagnose and treat less severe health concerns. Due to their limited scope, urgent care clinics are generally more affordable and have shorter wait times than emergency departments.

Severity of health problems

Emergency departments primarily handle life or limb-threatening conditions for individuals of all ages. They are the best choice for immediate and critical medical attention.

Urgent care near you serves as a bridge between primary care doctors and emergency rooms. They are ideal for addressing minor illnesses or injuries that must be addressed the next day. For instance, an earache can often be treated at an urgent care clinic unless accompanied by a high fever (104°F or higher) or underlying health issues, such as a history of cancer or immunosuppressive therapy, necessitating a visit to the emergency department.

What is the best time to visit an urgent care facility?

Call 911 or head to the emergency room for a significant emergency. Urgent care centers are only suitable for treating non-life-threatening conditions such as:

• burns
• bug stings
• cold and flu
• urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• sprains
• small lacerations
• diarrhea
• mild asthma attacks
• vomiting
• non-life-threatening allergic reactions

Remember that urgent care centers will only be open during regular office hours. If you need an appointment at other times, check with the clinic before you visit them. Clinics also allow walk-in visits, but you may have to wait long to see the doctor. So, make an appointment through Zocdoc to avoid the long lines and hours of wait time to meet a doctor. 

However, if you have made an appointment for a blood test, you will not be attended to by a doctor. Urgent care centers have other staff, such as physician assistants or nurse practitioners, who can attend to your issues.

How do you find urgent care near you in Boston, MA?

Zocdoc is a leading platform that connects patients with top-rated medical professionals in their locality. Our powerful search algorithms will find the best urgent care physicians that match your needs. If you're worried about the budget, Zocdoc can help you find in-network providers — add your insurance carrier's name to the search query. Suppose you prefer not to share your insurance details with your provider when booking an appointment on Zocdoc. In that case, you will be prompted to either provide your insurance information or indicate that you will be paying out-of-pocket. Certain providers may require insurance information to schedule an appointment. However, if you do not have insurance or choose not to use it, you can effortlessly search for another provider on Zocdoc. For more insurance-related questions, please visit Zocdoc's patient help center.

Zocdoc maintains all its providers' profiles and a comprehensive and up-to-date directory. Browse these profiles to learn more about your physician, including their education, clinical interests, and board certifications. You can also use customer ratings to find the best-suited urgent care specialists in Boston, Massachusetts. You can also check the languages the physician can speak and whether they treat children. 

Zocdoc makes your search for urgent care near you hassle-free and quick! Depending on the physician's availability, you can book an appointment during office hours, before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., or even on weekends. Some physicians also provide online consultations. Check for a purple video icon on their profile to book a video consultation.

Booking appointments on Zocdoc is safe, secure, and free!

Urgent care in Massachusetts, US

There is a rising demand for urgent care services across the country. According to the BMC Health Services Research, 1 out of every five (21.7%) urgent care clinics has over 450 weekly patient visits.

According to a 2018 report released by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC), over eight years, Massachusetts saw significant expansion in retail clinics and urgent care facilities, with locations for urgent care facilities increasing by more than 700%. 

As per the same report, almost 30% of the ailments seen in retail clinics were sore throats and acute sinusitis. While treating various ailments, urgent care facilities also saw sore throats as the most common reason for visits, closely followed by upper respiratory infections. The vast difference between the cost of an ED (emergency department) visit and a UC (urgent care) visit, which is comparatively inexpensive, has also contributed to the overall increase in urgent care visits.

A study by the Urgent Care Association of America reports that urgent care centers saw a rise of about 10% over a year, increasing from 6,701 in 2015 to 7,357 in 2016. According to the survey, 96 percent of urgent care centers reported increased patient visits in 2015.

Sources

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Cleveland Clinic

Mayo Clinic

American Heart Association

MedlinePlus

American College of Emergency Physicians

Mass.gov

Healthline

Mayo Clinic Health System

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.