Have you ever needed to go to the emergency room? In one study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDCP), it was found that as many as 48% of ER patients were seeking treatment at that location because their primary physician’s office was closed. This problem will increase the wait time for the average patient due to observing triage protocol. But there is a better option for patients who are not experiencing an emergency, and yet need care.

How Urgent Care Expresses the Treatment Process For Patients.

If a health concern is not an emergency, it is likely an urgent problem. This is categorized as a health concern in the form of an injury or illness that needs treatment soon to avoid excessive damage to the body. Such problems might be a fever of 100 degrees in a newborn, or a sprained ankle. The urgent care expressly exists for these situations to expedite the process of receiving treatment. These centers do this by offering streamlined care for common injuries, such as sprains and minor fractures, as well as diagnosis and treatment of some common illnesses.

Urgent Care Centers Are Open Earlier, And Stay Open Longer Than Your Doctor’s Office.

Most doctor’s offices like to open around 9:00 a.m., and close sometime around perhaps 6:00 p.m., or even earlier for some specialist’s offices. The problem with these opening and closing times is that people are frequently engaged with other commitments during those hours. Children are at school, and adults are working so to be treated they must call in sick, which results in missed days of school and work. The other concern is that some parents need to have their child seen before they head off to work, which is very difficult if their doctor doesn’t open their doors until mid-morning. If the person’s illness or ailment just needed a quick fix that only a physician can provide, that’s a whole day devoted to a diagnosis.

How Long Will I Be Waiting At Urgent Care?

Most urgent care locations use the triage system, similar to the standard emergency room. This means that if a very serious case comes in, the nurses give that patient priority over everyone else even if they have been waiting longer. However, the average urgent care expressly exists as a quicker alternative to less serious cases than the ER, so wait times are usually short. About 65% of clinics have a physician on hand at all hours, and 60% are able to keep the average wait time to about 15 minutes for patients.

It is frustrating and stressful having an injury or illness that needs a doctor’s treatment. Instead of waiting at the nearest ER, why not instead head in to the nearest urgent care? Wait times are usually shorter, the hours are longer than the average doctor’s office, and you’ll have peace of mind sooner.