How Does Urgent Care Work?

When you’re headed to urgent care, it’s good to have an idea of what you can expect. Once you arrive at our clinic, you will be greeted by friendly staff who will help you check-in. After you’re checked in, a nurse will assess your condition. They’ll ask about your symptoms and take your vital signs, like your temperature and blood pressure, to determine the urgency of your situation.

If your condition is severe, you may be seen right away. Otherwise, you’ll be seated in the comfortable waiting area. When it’s your turn to be seen by the doctor, you will be brought to an examination room. The doctor will discuss your concerns in more detail, perform a physical examination, and order diagnostic screenings if necessary.

Once your provider has established a diagnosis, they’ll discuss your treatment options with you. This may include medications, certain therapies, or a referral to a specialist for further evaluation or treatment. The doctor will provide you with instructions on how to care for yourself at home and when to follow up with your regular doctor.

Urgent care is designed to address non-life-threatening injuries, acute illnesses, and chronic conditions. Urgent care providers can diagnose and treat a wide range of medical issues, including minor injuries like sprains, strains, and minor fractures, as well as common illnesses such as colds, flu, and infections. Additionally, urgent care can provide services like lab testing and X-rays.

One of the key benefits of urgent care is that it provides access to prompt medical attention. Unlike primary care offices, which may have limited hours or require appointments, urgent care centers often offer extended hours, including evenings and weekends, and accept patients on a walk-in basis. This allows patients to seek medical attention when it’s most convenient for them, without the need for scheduling in advance.

At our urgent care center, we provide treatment for a variety of concerns, including:

• Minor trauma – Whether it’s a sprained ankle from a weekend hike or a minor cut from a kitchen accident, our skilled team is here to provide holistic treatment to help you heal quickly and comfortably.
• Common viruses – We provide treatment for common viral illnesses, such as influenza, bronchiolitis, rhinovirus, norovirus, and coronavirus.
• Minor infections – Whether it’s a skin infection or a urinary tract infection, our team is equipped to diagnose and treat a variety of minor infections. We also offer confidential sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment.
• Asthma and allergies – Our professionals are skilled at diagnosing and treating asthma and allergies, providing solutions to help you find sustained relief from your symptoms.

In addition, if you have diabetes, back pain, high cholesterol, hypertension, or another chronic condition, our team can provide support in managing your symptoms.

Urgent care centers are the place to go if you are experiencing a non-life-threatening condition that requires prompt attention but isn’t severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. Visiting urgent care is a convenient option for minor injuries, common illnesses, and other non-emergent medical concerns.

However, if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, such as loss of consciousness, severe trauma, anaphylaxis, or a seizure, you should visit an emergency room or call 911. Emergency rooms have specialized resources, including trauma teams, advanced diagnostic equipment, and specialists available around the clock to address critical medical situations.

In terms of accessibility and cost, urgent care centers typically offer shorter wait times and lower out-of-pocket expenses compared to emergency room visits. Whether you should visit urgent care or an emergency room depends on how critical your condition is.

At Eastway Medical, we diagnose and treat a broad range of non-life-threatening conditions. Our team offers asthma care, x-rays, physical exams, vaccinations, and confidential STI testing, among various other services. If you are in or near Charlotte, Mint Hill, Allen, Harrisburg, Newell, or Matthews, North Carolina, visit our urgent care clinic and experience top-quality care. We are conveniently located at 1220 Eastway Drive Charlotte, NC 28205. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Charlotte NC, Newell NC, Mint Hill NC, Matthews NC, Allen NC, Harrisburg NC, and surrounding cities.