Illness and injury can happen at any time of the day or night. This is when a patient needs an urgent care facility to help them with any medical problem that has just turned up.
Differences Between an Urgent Care Clinic and Walk-in Care Clinic
An urgent care facility, also known as an immediate care facility, is similar to a hospital emergency room, in which there are both pediatric as well as adult certified doctors and staff on hand, as well as x-ray equipment, IV units, and various other specialty medical equipment which may be needed in an emergency medical situation.
Most clinics are open late into the evening with several locations, so that patients who are far from a local hospital emergency room can find and use an urgent care facility for immediate treatment rather than wait to get to a hospital.
A walk-in clinic is similar, in the sense that a patient does not need a prior appointment. The patient can see the doctor and nursing staff who are on call and working that day.
Doctors at these clinics see patients in emergency situations as well as patients who may look for a second opinion on a previous diagnosis. They may also see a patient who may not be able to see their usual personal care provider at that time.
Practitioners at these clinics are also available to see patients for needs such as sports physicals, flu vaccines, and vaccines that are now required by local school systems prior to or for continued student enrollment. Sometimes these clinics may also suggest a more permanent care provider to patients who may not have one.
Walk-In Clinics for Convenience
Most walk-in clinics have several doctors on staff who also work with local hospitals, which is why they have both pediatricians and adult doctors on staff. Many of these clinics are convenient care clinics, which are necessary when sudden injuries from sports or play occur in children.
Walk-in clinics see patients who may have an emergency care need but who may not be able to get to a hospital in a timely manner before the emergency escalates. These facilities often work in association with a local medical center and the doctors who work here are typically affiliated with local hospitals and emergency rooms.
Urgent Care for Real Emergencies Round-the-clock
Most urgent care facilities have flexible yet constant hours and are open much later in the day than a more traditional walk-in clinic. Many urgent care facilities are better equipped to handle serious medical emergencies that the average walk-in clinic may not experience very often. Some urgent-care facilities are open 24/7, because emergencies happen any and all the time. Urgent care clinics are here for anyone and everyone, and are especially convenient-a literal life-saver-for patients who may live far from a hospital emergency room or medical center.
