Emergency room care is an important service in many communities, but when you or a loved one is dealing with a relatively minor medical condition, waiting for an emergency room in a hospital can seem like a inefficient way to access the medical attention you need. However, if your local doctors office is closed or booked out several weeks, an emergency room may appear to be the best option available to you. Still, the overcrowded waiting room and the high cost of a hospital co-pay may make you question if there is a better way to get medical care for non-life-threatening problems that still require immediate attention. Fortunately, with urgent care centers quickly spreading across the United States, there is.

There are currently an estimated 20,000 doctors in the United States practicing urgent care medicine. These physicians and the walk in clinics they work in provide an important service to their patients, their communities, and local healthcare services: in a nation where as many as 35% of emergency room visits could have been resolved faster and more affordably at an urgent care facility, urgent care clinics make it possible for patients to find doctors in their communities at all hours without relying on local hospitals, which are often overwhelmed by the number of patients they must treat. Urgent care center visits often cost as much as 40 to 50% less than a trip to an emergency room in the U.S., making it possible for many patients to afford medical care before their condition develops into a serious problem.

Urgent care clinics are designed for patient convenience, ensuring that people in their area can access medical treatment regardless of their work schedule and other responsibilities. For this reason, 70% of American urgent care centers are open by 8 AM, and many are open 24 hours a day. Instead of requiring scheduled appointments, urgent care clinics often encourage walk ins and see patients immediately, further reducing the hassle usually inherent in the process of seeing a doctor. Many urgent care clinics have also started to perform a variety of additional services, including routine blood work and physical exams. Best of all, urgent care facilities can be found almost anywhere in the United States, with as many as 10% located in rural areas, making it possible for patients to find doctors even in the most isolated of areas.

Every year, there are an estimated 160 million urgent care visits in the United States. The patients behind these visits seek care for a number of non-critical conditions, ranging from childhood ear infections to panic attacks. Whatever the cause, the benefits of this service are clear: thanks to urgent care centers, it is now possible to find doctors at convenient times and affordable prices to give you or your loved ones the trustworthy, immediate care they deserve. The next time you, a family member or a friend is ill, don’t waste time in an emergency room: instead, visit an urgent care center. For more information, read this website: www.immediateclinic.com