Urgent Care Centers and Treatment Services
An urgent care center ( UCC), also known as an urgent treatment centre (UTC) in the United Kingdom, is a type of walk-in clinic focused on the delivery of urgent ambulatory care in a dedicated medical facility outside of a traditional emergency department located within a hospital. These facilities primarily treat injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to require an ED visit.
General Description and Clinical Scope
Urgent care centers are intended for the treatment of conditions which require urgent medical attention but are not life-threatening, such as broken bones, minor infections, sprains and strains, cuts, grazes, minor burns or scalds, and bites and stings. Various media reports have examined the relative benefits of using an urgent care center. Some of the benefits cited include shorter wait times, no need to make an appointment, and a large staff which can handle mutltiple tasks relatively quickly.
Global Implementation
United Kingdom (NHS)
In the United Kingdom, urgent treatment centres (also called walk-in centres or minor injury units) are provided by the National Health Service, which decided in 2019 that all areas of England should be served by a network of urgent treatment centres. They are intended to divert patients from the A&E departments, which are under great pressure. These urgent treatment centres were "open for at least 12 hours a day, every day of the week, every week of the year, including bank holidays—and offering pre-bookable appointments."
United States and New Zealand
In the United States, urgent care centers were first used in the 1970s and have since expanded to approximately 10,000 centers across the country. Additionally, urgent care may be categorized as its own branch of medicine, as in New Zealand.
Available Services and Pricing
Our qualified providers are ready to provide the best medical care for you and your family. We, at Main St Urgent Care of Adrian, are proud to offer the latest medical equipment to diagnose and treat all patients. The following medical services are commonly available:
- X-ray Lab
- Illnesses and Injuries treatment
- Immunizations
- Diagnostic Testing
- Sports and School Physicals
- DOT Physicals
- Covid-19 Testing
- Occupational Medicine
We also provide access to electronic records and send electronic prescriptions to a pharmacy of our choice. For those without insurance, specific pricing options are often available.
| Service Type | Description / Price |
|---|---|
| TB Test | $40 |
| Telemedicine | $70 |
| Office Visit | $100 |
| Availability | No appointment needed, Just Walk in |
As noted by patients, these clinics offer "Fast, great service, and sweet staff." Many appreciate the efficiency, stating, "I was in & out of the clinic & pharmacy & home in an hr."