Visiting the right medical facility and doctor can help ensure you get the right type of medical care as quickly as possible. This will not only save you money in medical expenses but also a lot of time. Do you know when you should visit an emergency room versus an urgent care center? While both medical facilities offer overlapping services, there are distinct differences between the two that you should be aware of.
What Is An Urgent Care Center?
Urgent care is a great place to visit when you have a serious but non-life-threatening injury or condition. Urgent care is somewhat of a middle ground between medical care provided in a physician’s office during regular business hours and an emergency room.
Let’s say you have a cold, flu, body aches, headaches, or another issue. A primary care physician is ideal for treating such an issue. However, physician offices have limited hours of business, and it can take a few days before you can get an appointment. Emergency rooms are reserved for emergencies, so they aren’t appropriate for issues such as these. This is where urgent care comes in.
While urgent care deals with a lot of minor emergencies, it is also a great option for treating a variety of common ailments like the cold, flu, or body aches. If you have an injury or condition that is causing you a lot of pain or discomfort and need medical care that cannot wait for an appointment-based doctor visit, urgent care is the place for you.
Unlike hospital emergency rooms, urgent care centers do not deal with injuries or conditions that are life-threatening in the immediate future. If you have such an emergency, it’s crucial you visit an emergency room immediately.
Emergency Conditions Treated In Urgent Care
Along with common ailments, urgent care centers also treat a variety of minor medical emergencies. Examples include:
- Minor to moderate cuts or wounds
- Sprained, strained, or twisted joints or muscles
- Injuries to the joints incurred during a sports or vehicular accident
- Fractures or dislocations
- Concussions
- Minor to moderate work-related injuries
Urgent Care Services in Fort Worth, Texas
The Texas Medical Institute has a team of doctors that specialize in family practice, chiropractic care, cosmetic services, emergency medicine, and more. Not only do they see patients on an appointment basis, but they also offer urgent care services when emergencies strike without notice. We specialize in all types of musculoskeletal conditions, so whether you are hurt at work, in a car accident, or while playing a sport, we can treat you.
People who are regular patients at Texas Medical Institute benefit from our urgent care services even more because the urgent care physicians have access to crucial medical information that their primary care physicians have from regular doctor visits from the past. By offering primary care and urgent care, Texas Medical Institute allows both doctors to share information effectively. This ensures a seamless transfer of information, so you get the best care possible.
To learn more about the medical care services we offer, visit us today or call (817) 615-8633. You can also request an appointment online.
