When Should You Go to an Urgent Care Clinic?
It’s great to have options for medical treatment, but it’s not surprising that many people are confused about when to visit an urgent care or walk-in clinic and when to head straight to the emergency room. Generally speaking, if you or your child becomes ill or injured and the ailment isn’t life-threatening, seeking treatment at a walk-in clinic like Cape Regional Urgent Care is appropriate – especially if you’re visiting from out of town or you can’t get a short-notice appointment to see your primary care physician. In fact, experts often suggest that you think about your choices in terms of whether you’d be comfortable consulting with your regular doctor if he or she were available or you think the symptoms are so severe that emergency medical treatment is required.
Common Scenarios & Where to Seek Treatment
Hospital emergency rooms are equipped and staffed to deal with life- and limb-threatening situations. They’re typically open 24/7 year-round, and that’s one of the reasons that many patients seek treatment there when their family doctor’s office is closed. You should definitely head to the emergency room if you’re worried about a life-threatening condition such as:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Traumatic injuries
- Fever over 104 degrees F
However, seeking emergency care for routine illnesses can be quite costly. Emergency rooms are often extremely busy as well, which means you may be sitting in a waiting room, not feeling your best, for hours before you ever see a doctor.
Cape Regional Urgent Care offers a more affordable and time-saving alternative for residents of Cape May County, New Jersey. We’re fully equipped to diagnose and treat nearly any non-life-threatening illness or injury, including:
- Fever and flu-like symptoms
- Strep throat
- Fractures and sprains
- Minor burns
- Workers’ comp-related injuries
- And more
Additionally, when you step inside our reception area, you’ll enjoy a warm welcome and a short wait that’s made more pleasant by our complimentary beverage bar and free Wi-Fi. Our board-certified physicians have many years of experience, and your consultation will take place in a private exam room – not a curtained-off area as is common in an emergency room setting.
For more information about our extended hours and the many insurance plans we accept, contact Cape Regional Urgent Care today, or visit one of our three convenient locations.
