7:00 am.
That may be a record.
You have had to make many trips to local walk in health clinics in the past, but this is a first.
With your 17 year old daughter’s latest obsession with cross country running, she has made it her goal to run six days a week. Even when you are on vacation, she has been the first one out of bed and is often back from her five mile morning run before the rest of the family has even crawled out of bed. On this particular day, however, your daughter’s run was cut short. She did not notice the loose gravel and broken sidewalk as she left the parking lot of the hotel and took a nasty spill. Away from home and a medicine cabinet of bandages and antibacterial ointment, you made the decision to do a quick search for “urgent care near me” to find someone who could clean up her knees and palms so that she could enjoy the rest of the day.
Finding the Right Health Care When You Are Traveling Can be a Challenge
In the past, families who were traveling may have had to make the expensive decision to visit a local hospital emergency room for a situation that was far from dire. Now, however, a quick search for “urgent care near me” can help you find a more affordable and convenient options. From scrapes and bruises to x-rays for ankles and hands, knowing when to go to urgent care versus a hospital can safe you a lot of time and money.
Both at home and away, children and teenagers are a virtual accident waiting to happen. From falling off playground equipment to tripping over their own two feet to twisting ankles and knees while they are at sports practice, there are many times when you simply want a medical opinion. Not needing the expensive care of a hospital emergency room or having the time to wait in a family physician’s office, a walk in health clinic is often the very best option.
An estimated 3 million patients visit urgent care centers each week, according to the Urgent Care Association of America, and one of the reasons may be the convenience. In fact, the latest research indicates that 60% of all urgent care centers have a wait time of less than 15 minutes to see a physician or mid-level provider. In addition, 65% have a physician on-site at all times.
Whether you are on vacation and have to look up “closest urgent care near me,” or you are at home, an urgent care walk in health clinic is often the best option.