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Urgent care centers are facilities that treat illnesses and injuries requiring immediate care but are not life-threatening. They occupy a space between a primary care physician’s office and a hospital’s emergency room, typically with walk-in availability and extended hours. Understanding what these centers offer helps you make an informed decision when your child needs medical assistance. Here is more information about these services:
Fast Diagnosis and Treatment
Navigating a child’s health concern starts with a prompt and accurate diagnosis. Urgent care centers are equipped to evaluate a wide range of childhood ailments. When you bring your child in with symptoms like a persistent cough, fever, or sore throat, a medical provider can conduct a thorough examination.
They can determine what is causing the symptoms. Following a diagnosis, the provider will typically outline a treatment plan. This plan may involve a prescription, recommendations for at-home care, or instructions on what to watch for as your child recovers.
They design this process to be straightforward, providing you with clear information about your child’s condition and the next steps for their care. Ask any questions you may have during the appointment to ensure you fully understand the treatment plan. Follow the provider’s guidance to help your child recover quickly and comfortably.
On-site Cold and Flu Testing
During the school year, respiratory illnesses spread quickly. Distinguishing between a cold, the flu, or other infections based solely on symptoms is challenging. Many urgent care facilities have on-site laboratories that are capable of running diagnostic tests for various illnesses.
Rapid tests for influenza and other respiratory viruses provide results during your visit. A provider will perform a nasal swab, and you can typically expect to receive the results within a short time. This quick confirmation enables appropriate treatment to begin without delay, which may be particularly helpful for illnesses like the flu, where early intervention with antiviral medication may be indicated.
Immediate Injury Assessment
Playground falls, sports mishaps, and other accidents are common occurrences for active children. Urgent care is prepared to handle these minor, non-life-threatening injuries. When you arrive with a child who has experienced a fall or collision, a provider will assess the injury to determine its severity.
Facilities are typically equipped with X-ray machines to check for fractures in cases of suspected broken bones. The provider will clean and dress wounds, stabilize sprains, or apply a splint to a fracture. This quick assessment and treatment help stabilize the injury and create a plan for follow-up care.
Minor Procedures
Some injuries and conditions require more than just a prescription or bandage. Urgent care centers perform a variety of minor medical procedures on-site, which potentially saves a trip to a different facility. Several procedures are available at many urgent care locations, offering a wide range of medical services to patients:
- Stitches or sutures for deep cuts and lacerations
- Incision and drainage for abscesses
- Foreign object removal from the skin, nose, or ears
Doctors perform these services in a sterile environment under the supervision of trained medical staff. After the procedure, you will receive detailed instructions on how to care for the area at home to support the healing process.
Visit Urgent Care With Your Child
When your child experiences a sudden illness or a minor injury, an urgent care center presents one option for medical attention. These clinics are structured to address non-emergency health issues that arise during the busy school year. If your child requires medical attention for a non-life-threatening condition, you can visit a clinic today for an evaluation.
