When unexpected injuries or health issues arise, many people’s first reaction is to head to an emergency room. But when those illnesses and injuries aren’t life-threatening, these trips often end up costing patients more in both time and money.
And that’s where urgent care centers like Mercy come in. Knowing the best option for care can be essential in beginning the healing process, and urgent care centers fill a critical gap in the health care industry.
Urgent Care bridges the gap between primary care and emergency care. Treating minor burns, scrapes and cuts is a vital, yet singular piece of the urgent care puzzle. Urgent care also treats conditions such as allergic reactions, ear infections and strep throat; provides x-ray imaging and lab services such as testing for COVID-19, STIs, pregnancy and blood glucose; provides support and treatment for mental health concerns; and offers preventative services in the way of physicals and vaccinations.
Facilities like Mercy help to alleviate the burden on emergency rooms, enabling area hospitals to make better use of their resources and provide faster ER care for true emergencies. “When people know where to go based on their circumstances, the system works best,” said Dr. Robert Kimball, president of the UCA Board of Directors.
Statistics indicate that Urgent Care centers prevent approximately 24.5 million emergency room visits annually, significantly alleviating the strain on emergency departments while saving patients and the healthcare system valuable time and resources. This data underscores the importance of Urgent Care centers in managing non-emergent cases effectively and underscores their essential status within the healthcare system.
To make these important services even more accessible to the community, Mercy Urgent Care offers MercyMe healthcare memberships. These memberships provide individuals and families access to a full menu of health services — from annual wellness checks and yearly flu shots to access to urgent care services like x-rays, wound care and lab testing — without an appointment or lengthy check-in procedures.
With eight locations across WNC and a MercyMe card, you’ll never be without affordable, quality healthcare resources. Learn more about MercyMe by clicking here, spread awareness this month about the differences between urgent care and emergency departments, and keep us in mind for any of life’s unexpected, non-life-threatening events. Stay well!
