HOW DO YOU SELECT AN URGENT CARE?
An urgent care center is a great option when you are sick or injured, when you need to see a doctor right away, when you don't want to wait in the hospital emergency room for hours, or when your doctor's office is closed. There may be a few urgent cares in the neighborhood, but how do you select the best one? Check out the urgent cares near you before you require their services. Here are some things you should look for:
- The major drawback of many urgent care centers is the lost of continuity of care. Try to find a physician’s office that provides urgent care or is linked with an urgent care. This way, the urgent care can communicate with your primary care office and update your records. Otherwise, you will need to update your doctor by yourself on any care that you received at an urgent care.
- Ask your regular physician for a recommendation
- Ask family, friends and co-workers for their experiences
- On average, how long will you have to wait to be seen? Call ahead and ask about the current wait time/patient load.
- Look at the location where the practice is located: Will it be easy for you to get there from home or work? Will parking be a hassle? Is it conveniently close to a pharmacy?
- Can routine x-rays and laboratory studies be performed in-office, or will you have to go to an outside laboratory?
- Check your insurance company for eligible centers
- In some instances it is best to go to a hospital emergency room or call “911”. If you are in a life-threatening situation, please call “911”.
Using an urgent care center instead of an emergency room is best in the following circumstances:
- Minor injuries - Abrasions/cuts, Bruises
- Burns (minor)
- Colds/cough/flu
- Ear, eye and skin infections
- Eye injuries (minor)
- Respiratory infections
- Sprains/strains
- Urinary tract infections
- Rashes
- Musculoskeletal pain
This article has been brought to you by: Woodbury Medical Group.
WMG provides both urgent and primary care to patients in the Irvine area. Featuring Hoag-affiliated Board-Certified family physicians, who each bring with them a remarkable education, experience and track record, the doctors provide complete and comprehensive care, serving all ages and health concerns. Conveniently located in the Woodbury Center at the corner of Irvine Boulevard and Sand Canyon, WMG has been delivering award-winning medical care since it opened its doors in January 2007. The WMG provides family medicine and urgent care services to the communities of Woodbury, Northwood, Orchard Hills, Great Park, Woodbridge and Portola Springs. For more information, please visit www.woodburymedical.com.
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