People do, unfortunately, get sick and hurt. It might be difficult to determine whether to schedule a visit with your general care physician, dash to the emergency room, or go to an urgent care facility when your child is weeping and in pain.
Healthcare Demands
The majority of healthcare demands are frequently best served by primary care physicians. They know your child personally and are familiar with their medical history, including any allergies, shots, and recent illnesses. However, scheduling an appointment with your doctor at short notice or after hours can be challenging… and some medical conditions require long beach urgent care.
Always call 9-1-1 and/or get straight to the emergency hospital if you suffer from any life-threatening injuries or illnesses. The emergency room personnel are prepared to handle any severe illnesses and injuries in the quickest manner. You might want to hold off on going to the emergency room if your injuries or illnesses are urgent but not life-threatening. The national average wait time in emergency departments is now over four hours, and they are getting more and more expensive, especially for people who are paying out of pocket.
Urgent Care Centers Are a Great Option When You Need
Because they fill the gap between a doctor’s office and the ER, urgent care centers are a great option when you need to see a doctor right away but don’t have a serious sickness or injury. Compared to emergency rooms, waiting times at urgent care centers are substantially shorter, and patients incur lower out-of-pocket expenses. Nearly all forms are accepted at the majority of urgent care centers for persons with health insurance.
I’ve encountered a lot of parents throughout the course of my career in ambulatory and emergency medicine who are misinformed about urgent care. Many people are unaware that certain urgent care centers have licensed doctors on duty at all times, as well as x-ray machines, lab tests, and pharmacies nearby to speed up your visit.
Before an emergency arises, it’s crucial to call the urgent care long beach facility closest to you to find out what services they offer, whether a doctor would see you, and how much they charge.
It might be challenging to determine which healthcare choice is best for you in the heat of the moment. Here are some ideas to aid in your decision-making:
Fevers
Fevers are unpleasant and sometimes worrying. Most of the time, a low-grade fever may wait until your next available visit with your primary care physician. Urgent care is a fantastic choice for helping your child feel better quickly if they have a low to moderate fever, between 100 and 103°F, along with accompanying symptoms of the common cold or flu. However, you should phone 9-1-1 and go directly to the ER if your child has a fever over 103°F that isn’t going down with the recommended doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or if the fever is accompanied by seizures, neck stiffness, or abdominal pain.
Influenza Signs
In the spring, it’s still usual to get the flu, strep throat, and sore throats. You may decide to postpone seeing a primary care provider if the symptoms are minor and aren’t giving you or your child a lot of pain or discomfort. The majority of the time, these illnesses leave you or your child feeling miserable, and going to urgent care is an easy way to see a doctor, receive the necessary tests, and start the proper course of treatment right away. Keep in mind that your family doesn’t have to endure symptoms while you wait for your doctor’s upcoming visit!
Fractures and Broken Bones
Broken bones and fractures are more frequent when the weather gets better and Portlanders spend more time outside. Even while an injury like this might be pretty frightening and needs to be treated right away, you don’t necessarily have to head straight to the ER. Instead of having to wait a lengthy time in the emergency room, many urgent care centers have the necessary equipment to take x-rays and treat the injury on-site.
The Sun Is Approaching
Sadly, exposure to the sun can also result in painful sunburns, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke. Although mild to moderate sunburns may frequently be treated at home, urgent care centers offer a quick and efficient alternative if you require a little extra assistance. Similar rules apply to heat exhaustion. When suffering from heatstroke, which is characterized by a high fever, you should never delay calling 9-1-1 and instead go directly to the emergency department.
Conclusion
The general rule of thumb is to call 9-1-1 if there is any life-threatening injuries. However, you can frequently receive prompt and effective care for any non-life-threatening wounds at an urgent care facility. Make sure you give the clinic a call in advance to find out if a board-certified doctor is on staff and to find out if they take your insurance. You can schedule a visit with your primary care physician for any injury or illness that isn’t hurting you or your child.
