Non-Life Threatening Problems and Urgent Care

Patients suffering from minor illnesses and injuries can often seek treatment at an urgent care facility rather than visiting an emergency room at a local hospital. Many urgent care locations provide the same types of necessary diagnostic testing and treatment at a lower cost and with a much shorter wait time. Still, it is important to understand which facility is the proper choice for the patient's current condition.

Issues that an urgent care facility can address

For many individuals, it can be difficult to schedule a same-day appointment with a primary care physician for common injuries and illnesses. In some instances, it is best not to wait for treatment in order to prevent complications. However, a trip to the emergency room may not be necessary since it could be more expensive and troublesome than the situation warrants. In these cases, an urgent care facility is a viable option. Those with the following issues can seek treatment at an urgent care office:

• Common illnesses, such as the flu, sinus and ear infections, strep throat or pink eye
• Small cuts that require stitches
• Broken bones that have not pierced the skin
• Animal or insect bites and stings
• New or worsening rashes or skin conditions

These locations also offer some vaccinations and certain medical screenings for those who need to be seen promptly. A quick phone call to the facility can verify what is available.

Symptoms that require a trip to the emergency room

It is often prudent to call an urgent care location about symptoms instead of heading to the hospital first. However, there are some situations that do require an immediate trip to the emergency room. If any of these symptoms are present, the situation could become life-threatening and should be addressed by hospital staff.

Signs of cardiac or respiratory disease or failure

When it comes to a heart attack, stroke or respiratory failure, time is a very important factor in successful treatment and recovery. If a patient exhibits any of the tell-tale signs of these issues, it is critical to seek medical care from a hospital as soon as possible. When chest pain, shortness of breath, slurred speech or difficulty breathing are present, call 911 or transport to the nearest hospital immediately.

Trauma to the head

Any trauma or heavy impact to the head should be promptly evaluated in an emergency room setting. The possibility of brain damage, swelling or a concussion are too high to be overlooked in these situations. This is especially true if the patient was rendered unconscious even if only for a few moments.

Excessive or heavy bleeding

While minor cuts and wounds can be mended in an urgent care facility, major wounds with excessive bleeding require an immediate hospital visit. In these scenarios, it is often best to call emergency services for immediate care and ambulance transport. Uncontrolled bleeding can become life-threatening in no time.

Conclusion

When an unexpected illness or injury occurs, it may be helpful to seek treatment at an urgent care facility first. However, some scenarios require an emergency room visit instead. A thorough understanding of life-threatening situations can help save time, money and even lives when a decision needs to be made.

Request an appointment here: https://tx-urgentcare.com or call Texas Urgent Care & Imaging Center at (832) 941-1894 for an appointment in our New Caney office.

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