Ever since COVID-19, many people have delayed going to the clinic for treatment for fear of contracting the virus. While hospitals and ERs might presume a great risk, an urgent center is a better alternative for your quick medical appointment. Find out more below.
Urgent Healthcare Centers for Injury Treatment
Novel studies and research suggest that injury treatment is crucial, especially for patients that have comorbidities that could lead to worsened conditions. Some of these conditions can include functional limitations, treatment complications, frailty, disability, or even death.
To avoid this, it is highly recommended not to skip medical examinations or delay treatments when needed. Though urgent care centers cannot treat life-threatening symptoms and major/extreme health conditions. For mild to moderate injuries, you can visit an urgent care center and walk-in clinic! Patients can safely get treated for sprains, injuries, bruises, and mild cuts.
How to Protect Yourself While at an Urgent Care Center
Though the risk level is lower than at a hospital, it is still essential that you are intentional about staying safe and free from COVID-19. Here are some of the things you can do to limit the spread and protect yourself.
- Schedule an appointment: By calling the facility beforehand, you would be able to avoid visiting the clinic during rush hours with a lot of patients and a higher risk of physical contact. You would also be sure that the doctor is on the seat and can skip waiting for the doctor’s arrival. Thirdly, you would be able to avoid getting to the clinic during their closing hour.
- Use a face mask: While leaving your home, take along with you, your face mask. Though the policies have subsided, face masks are still very effective in fighting the war against COVID-19.
- Have a hand sanitizer: Make sure that you have an alcohol-based sanitizer with you at all times. This is so that you can always disinfect your hands immediately when they come in contact with public surfaces such as the counter, door knob, and so on. It is not every time that you would be able to wash your hands with soap and water, so a hand sanitizer will come in handy for those occasions.
- Maintain social distancing: Finally, when you are at the healthcare facility, be cautious and maintain good distancing. Though some centers provide indications for where patients would stand and sit, you should still make it a habit to put some distance between yourself and others while at the clinic.
Conclusion
Delaying injury treatment is very dangerous regardless of COVID-19 or not. But while it might not be a safe idea to visit the hospital due to the increased risk of contracting the virus, you can find a nearby urgent care center to quickly get injury treatment and stay on top of your health!
