The emergency room can be an unpleasant place to visit and can be very crowded and stressful. Furthermore, if you're dealing with a condition that's not life threatening, chances are you'll have to wait long periods before the doctor can see you. Fortunately, you don't always have to go to an emergency room. You can go to a walk in clinic instead, which is a better alternative on many levels. Here are some advantages.

Convenient Hours

One of the most significant advantages of going to a walk in clinic is the convenient hours. You can go there whenever you have the time and you'll find that their doors are usually open early in the morning. This is a great advantage considering medical conditions wait for no one. In addition, you'll almost always find a doctor on site and a walk in medical clinic is not as crowded as emergency rooms, making them a highly convenient option. The fact that emergency rooms are often crowded is why a lot of people are drifting towards walk in clinics.

Lower Cost

Walk in clinics are helping to lower the medical debt most patients find themselves in. According to a study done by the Annals of Emergency Medicine, it was found that ER treatment costs are about 10 times more than in an urgent care center. The cost of receiving treatment at these centers is just a fraction of what you'll pay if you go to an emergency room. Most of the walk-in clinics offer physicals, lab services, and even STD testing. All of these come at a lower cost than the majority of hospitals which encourages individuals with less severe conditions to receive treatment too. These people would otherwise stay home due to the cost of treatment.

Quality Treatment

Walk in clinics may be cheap and convenient, but do they offer quality care? The simple answer is yes. Employees at a walk in medical clinic are highly skilled and experienced. You'll find qualified doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses who can treat patients effectively. If the staff determines they won't be able to give you the treatment you need, they can always refer you to the emergency room or to a particular physician who can handle your case. Choosing a walk in clinic does not mean that you're sacrificing the quality of care you'll receive.

These are some great advantages of visiting a walk in medical clinic. These clinics take care of patients of all ages and can effectively deal with various conditions. If you're in need of medical attention, whether it's urgent or not life threatening, don't hesitate to stop in and see our team at Southwest Urgent Care Center today!