If you think you have a life-threatening condition, such as a heart attack or stroke, call 911
immediately.
Should I go to the Emergency Room, AFC
Urgent Care, or my Primary Care Doctor?
The professional team at AFC Urgent Care of Statesville strives to provide a safe and accessible alternative
to the ER or your Primary Care Physician when the need arises.
American Family Care (AFC) is able to treat a wide variety of common illnesses and ailments, and is far more
cost and time-effective than the ER. Patients at AFC are typically in and out in about an hour, with an
average bill of $150.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 Americans will visit the ER at least once
annually. As many of 70% of these visits could have been treated by an Urgent Care Center or a Primary Care
Physician.
U.S. World and News Report reports that about 75% of children’s ER visits occur at night or on weekends, when
their primary care physician (PCP) is unavailable. Many of these trips are due to respiratory illnesses, or
other similar illnesses, that could instead be treated by an Urgent Care facility like AFC.
With ER costs being on average four times higher than regular doctor visits and usually having dramatically
longer wait times, the American public is looking for a better solution for non-life-threatening medical
situations. AFC Urgent Care offers an additional option.
What is Urgent Care?
Our facilities are walk-in health clinics and offer most of the
basic services that your primary care physician and emergency room do. However, that does not mean that they
should be used as a replacement for your primary care physician. AFC Urgent Care is here to help you in the
event of a non-life-threatening injury or illness. If you find yourself in a medical situation that puts
your life in danger, you should immediately contact emergency services. However, if you have a cold, get a
cut or scrape, or think you might have the flu, we are a great option for you. Situations like these are not
life-threatening, but illnesses like the flu have the capability of becoming dangerous if not treated
quickly. Illness doesn’t always happen at the most convenient time, either. So if you get sick and need to
see a doctor, but your primary care physician isn’t available, then visiting AFC Urgent Care may be the best
option for you.
Is there anything urgent care centers can’t do?
As previously stated, we do not replace
your primary care physician in any way. Your doctor is responsible for your medical history and treatment of
any chronic conditions, and while walk in clinics are great for the sniffles, we don’t have access to your
full medical history to treat chronic illness. Similarly, we typically will not refill prescriptions,
because that responsibility and knowledge falls on your primary care physician.
All in all, AFC Urgent care is a great service available to you at times when your primary care physician may
not be available. If you’ve got a cold or think you might have the flu and would like to seek immediate
care, we are here to help you.