Urgent care refers to a kind of outpatient medical facility where patients can receive treatment for an acute illness or injury that requires immediate attention but is not a life-threatening condition that needs to be addressed in the emergency room. Urgent care centers are open beyond normal business hours and accept “walk-in” patients without an appointment. This form of ambulatory care typically includes on-site diagnostic capabilities such as X-rays and the ability to draw blood for lab analysis, and can be a good alternative for patients whose regular primary care physician is unavailable. Patients with a fever or the flu, a sprain or strain, moderate back pain, a laceration in need of stitches, eye problems, a severe sore throat or a skin rash, vomiting, or minor injury from an accident or fall can look to an urgent care physician for thorough medical care. In contrast, patients who are experiencing chest pain and/or shortness of breath, burns, suspected poisoning, deep wounds, convulsions, sudden confusion, head trauma, blurry vision, pregnancy issues or a loss of consciousness should be treated at the nearest emergency room.
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