Dedicated staff members in ERs compared to urgent care centers
Patients who come in for broken bones and life-threatening injuries will typically see a specialist (such as a surgeon) within minutes. Doctors at urgent care centers, on the other hand, may have only limited training in some cases and may be required to provide basic first aid. It’s important to know that urgent care centers are absolutely critical members of our healthcare system—they focus on treating immediate health problems that can usually wait until your next doctor’s appointment or even overnight without worsening. But they’re not always equipped or staffed with specialists who can fix major issues quickly; if you have chronic pain or a serious injury, an ER is often better equipped to handle your needs. If it’s after hours or there isn’t an urgent care center nearby, don’t hesitate to call 911. It’s OK – we understand if you’re terrified about being seen by someone new. Just ask a friend to go with you, grab something comforting from home to drink while you’re there and try not to worry too much: Most physicians will give their patients as much time as needed during what is considered a non-emergency visit. This extra time should help put nervous patients at ease. In many cases, doctors will also perform physical exams using devices such as stethoscopes rather than inserting instruments into sensitive areas like ears or throats unless necessary. In fact, ER visits can actually cause more anxiety than hospital visits if people expect to get treated immediately because waiting is part of the process. Be prepared for longer waits — or walk-in times — in most hospitals due to increased patient volume resulting from fewer primary care providers taking patients at offices and clinics. Also note that many tests take longer because they must be done manually since patient information must be entered manually as well; automation has reduced errors but unfortunately increases delays. And finally, no one wants to sit around waiting…but having insurance doesn’t guarantee less wait time either. Wait times vary by region and practice size which affects staffing levels.
