Urgent care originated as a way to fill a gap between routine medical care with a primary care provider and emergency care in an area hospital. Urgent care doctors are knowledgeable in all areas of medical care and diagnostics, and work closely with primary care physicians and specialists.
Since the first urgent care clinics in the 1970s, urgent care has evolved from a last resort for health care to a medical partner that ensures patients can access care when they need it, without waiting for an appointment.
Sometimes, doctors are unavailable when you need them, such as on weekends. With a shortage of primary care physicians in some areas, you may not be able to get a new appointment with a local healthcare provider for months.
California is feeling this shortage. Another 10,500 primary care physicians are needed by 2030 to meet the population’s medical care needs.
When you can’t wait for diagnostic testing or treatment for a minor injury, illness, or medical concern, urgent care has become the first stop.
Understanding the Equipment Available in a Modern Urgent Care Clinic
Urgent care clinics have much of the equipment that emergency departments have. Plus, doctors are trained to test for and diagnose illnesses and issues ranging from orthopedic injuries and dermatologic problems to viral and bacterial infections.
If you’re wondering what equipment is available in most urgent care offices, we’ve compiled a short list. Every office is different and may have additional equipment, such as ultrasound and EKG readers, but we’re covering the basics.
- Advanced Lab Equipment: To check blood work and urine samples for signs of infection or complications.
- Basic Vital Signs Monitoring: Equipment that can track your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation levels.
- Imaging Technology: On-site x-rays make it possible to diagnose broken bones, pneumonia (lung x-rays), and sprains.
- Point-of-Care Testing: Same-day rapid tests for COVID, the flu, and strep throat.
Urgent Care vs. a Doctor’s Office vs. the Emergency Department
Urgent care is cheaper than a trip to the emergency department. It’s also faster. When you go to the hospital ER, you go through registration and triage. If you don’t have a serious medical issue, you are a lower priority than someone who comes with a medical emergency like a stroke or suspected heart attack.
You could be at the hospital for hours. It eats into your personal or vacation time at work, or you have to take those hours unpaid, which is just as costly.
Urgent care provides walk-in care. You don’t need an appointment. Your place in line is determined by when you checked in.
While urgent care is less expensive, there are times you should go to the ER for same-day diagnostics.
- A bone fracture that results in loss of movement
- A cough that brings up blood
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever that doesn’t decrease after meds
- Headache with a stiff neck
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling of the airways
- Sudden confusion
- Suspected heart attack
- Unresolved dizziness
Doctor’s offices in Fresno often close in the afternoon and on weekends. If you work until 5 p.m., it’s likely that your PCP’s office is already shut for the day. You have to make an appointment and take time off. Premium Urgent Care’s offices are open as late as 6 p.m. and on weekends.
If you have PCP, urgent care centers send the diagnostic results and treatment plan to your doctor. You might not be able to see your doctor right now, but your doctor is informed and can take over your care when the office is open, or you can get an appointment.
Premium Urgent Care accepts many insurance plans. This lowers the price even more as your insurance company pays the majority, and you cover the balance or co-pay, if there is one.
Same-Day Diagnostics for Sudden Illnesses or Chronic Conditions
The list of tests and medical care offered by an urgent care practice is extensive. Whether you have a sudden illness and need to know if it’s a bad chest cold, COVID, influenza, or pneumonia, urgent care doctors can diagnose it and provide a prescription or treatment plan during your appointment.
They can help with respiratory support if your asthma flares up or your treatment plan for COPD stops working effectively. Nebulizers and oxygen therapy diagnostics are available.
Diagnostics for cardiac conditions provide insight into your symptoms to determine if it’s time for a new approach or additional medications.
People with diabetes have access to instant blood sugar testing. If your insulin isn’t working like it used to, a metabolic panel can show how effective it is and suggest a new care plan if needed.
With same-day diagnostics available at urgent care, any chronic condition can be assessed to ensure medications are effective. If not, doctors can refer you to specialists, tell your doctor, and provide a new treatment plan to follow until you see the specialist.
Premium Urgent Care helps quickly diagnose health issues or injuries, including:
- COVID and flu
- Ear infections
- Pink eye
- Rashes
- Sinus infections
- Sports injuries
- Sprains/Strains
- Strep throat
- UTIs
Getting the Most from Your Urgent Care Visit
You will be meeting a new doctor, which means the doctor needs to know as much about you as possible. You can help your doctor better understand your medical history and save time by:
- Bringing the bottles or photos of any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take, ensuring the dosage is visible.
- Checking in online before you arrive.
- Completing registration forms online or printing out the forms, filling them out, and bringing them with you.
- Ensuring you have your health insurance card with you.
- Having a quick printed or handwritten sheet of family history information and past diagnoses or test results.
- Providing honest answers and as much detail as you can when answering questions.
Not only is urgent care your most convenient option, but the doctors at Premium Urgent Care are licensed physicians with expertise in everything from COVID and flu diagnostics to sprains and minor fractures.
Our doctors can tell you if you have a UTI and prescribe the right medications to clear it up. We also test for STDs and perform DOT, sports, or work-related physicals, including any required blood tests.
To save time when you walk in, you can check in beforehand. Use online check-in, and we’ll be ready for you when you arrive.