Factors to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Medical Center

Urgent care 24 hours

When it comes to health problems, seeking timely treatment is paramount. But knowing which type of facility is ideal for your specific problem can be a challenge, considering there are various kinds of healthcare facilities available. The two main types of health facilities are urgent care clinic and emergency center. Both of them offer medical advice and treatment across a range of health problems. Some facilities, however, are better specialized in handling real emergencies while others are good for non-life threatening situations.

Emergency centers are ideal for serious and life-threatening situations such as chest pain, stroke, loss of vision, severe burn, fractures, severe accidents and more. And because accidents and sicknesses are unpredictable, you need to be aware of the local emergency healthcare facilities around you. Here are few things you need to ask and keep in mind when choosing an emergency room.

Operational and waiting time
Perhaps the first thing you need to know is the working hours. You don’t want to check in for an emergency when the doors are closed. But the good thing about emergency centers is that most of them are open 24 hours, including evenings, weekends and also holidays. A study by the Alliance of Specialty Medicine shows that emergency room visits now number about 110 million annually. A clear indication that people are more into convenient care.

Another vital thing you need to ask about is the average waiting time to receive medical help. Some centers will have long wait time than others depending on the patient traffic. Find a facility that has less queuing time that ensures timely primary medical care.

Refferal hospitals
In some cases, an emergency care center may find it necessary to refer you to a hospital to get more specialized treatment. Therefore, it’s vital to know some of the hospitals the emergency center have a transfer agreement with. Is it a reputable hospital, and does it have all it takes to offer proper care?

Qualified physicians
Emergency medicine is a somewhat new when it comes to health services. So before choosing an emergency room, make sure the physicians working there are certified in handling emergency care needs.

Equipment
For emergency centers, equipment is an integral part of their service delivery. And most of these facilities offer advanced diagnostic and laboratory services. Make sure they also have X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound equipment for comprehensive medical care.

These are some of the factors you need to consider when looking for an emergency health facility. Other factors may include the cost of treatment, proximity to where you live, treatment and care options.

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