Reasons to go to an Immediate Care Clinic

Reasons for Immediate CareIf you are faced with a life-threatening situation, such as chest pain, severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, or a head or spinal injury, you should always proceed immediately to the nearest emergency room (ER), which is specifically designed to provide expedient, life-saving care. However, there are some injuries and illnesses that, while not true emergencies, still cannot safely wait a day or two to be addressed by a physician during regular business hours. In these circumstances, immediate care clinics provide patients with convenient access to quality healthcare.

Indeed, many patients who visit ERs – but who are not subsequently admitted to hospitals – are not facing real medical emergencies. Rather, they go to ERs simply because they require medical attention and their regular physicians’ offices are closed. Thus, they go to ERs to receive urgent care, which is not only unnecessary, but is also often expensive and time-consuming.

Some examples of injuries, conditions, and symptoms that can be treated at an immediate care center include:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Fevers
  • Colds and flu
  • Headaches
  • Severe sore throats
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration
  • Painful urination
  • Skin rashes and infections
  • Asthma and allergies
  • Mild to moderate cuts and burns
  • Ear and eye infections

If more extensive care is required, an immediate care center will direct a patient to an appropriate healthcare provider or, in a true emergency, arrange to transfer the patient to an ER. Of course, whenever there’s any doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and head directly to the ER.

At South Tampa Immediate Care, our goal is to ensure that our patients receive the best and most effective medical care. Contact us or walk in now. Or, you can check-in online at www.southtampaimmediatecare.com and receive a text message as soon as we’re ready to see you.