When Should I Go to Urgent Care?

Nova Medical Group is fully equipped to treat various non-life-threatening conditions such as minor fractures, sprains, strains, burns, cuts, and infections. We offer diagnostic services including X-rays, blood tests, and urine tests to help diagnose medical conditions like minor injuries, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes and allergies, and eye infections.

One key benefit of choosing Nova Medical Group for urgent care is convenience. We offer walk-in appointments with short wait times, making scheduling easier. Moreover, our services are more cost-effective than emergency room visits, offering a more affordable option for immediate medical attention.

We urge our patients to understand the severity and nature of their health issues before deciding on using our urgent care services. Conditions like minor accidents and falls, minor broken bones, eye irritation and redness, or bleeding and cuts that aren’t severe enough for an emergency room visit but can’t wait for a regular physician’s appointment are ideally suited for our urgent care services.

However, an emergency room should handle any condition that puts a person’s life at risk. Chest pain, breathing difficulties, serious burns, abrupt, intense pain, uncontrollable bleeding, severe vomiting, or poisoning are symptoms that should be treated right away by calling 911 or going to the emergency department.

Remember, urgent care offers valuable services, but they are not substitutes for your primary care provider. Regular check-ups and preventive care should be managed by your primary physician, who is familiar with your health history.

If you’re experiencing minor fractures or sprains, minor burns, localized infections such as urinary tract infections or ear infections, severe sore throats or cold and flu symptoms, skin rashes and allergic reactions, and minor lacerations or wounds needing stitches, you should seek urgent care. These conditions can cause discomfort and may deteriorate if left untreated, but they are not typically life-threatening.

Other urgent conditions include severe abdominal pain, chest pain or discomfort, sudden loss of vision or hearing, high fever (103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, severe headache, facial palsy, and suspected broken bones.

If your symptoms are severe and need immediate assistance, call your local emergency services.

The key difference between urgent care and emergency care is the severity and immediacy of the health risk. Urgent care situations require prompt attention to prevent further health complications, but they do not typically pose immediate threats to life or limb.

Primary Care:

As a patient’s first point of contact for health concerns, our primary care services focus on:

● Routine checkups and physical exams.
● Vaccinations and screenings are examples of preventive care.
● Management of chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
● Referral to specialists when necessary.

Our primary care services are designed to establish a long-term relationship with you, allowing us to comprehensively understand your medical history, health behavior, and preferences.

Urgent Care:

We also offer urgent care services to provide immediate, non-emergency care for acute conditions or minor injuries that can’t wait for a primary care physician’s appointment. Our urgent care center is a convenient option when our primary care provider’s office is closed or when an appointment can’t be obtained quickly. We can treat conditions like minor fractures, sprains, burns, cuts requiring stitches, severe cold or flu symptoms, earaches, sore throats, and more.

Our urgent care center operates during extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and some holidays, providing more accessible care when needed. We are equipped to deliver quick and efficient treatment but are not a substitute for emergency care.

Key Differences

● Scope of Care: Primary care offers comprehensive, ongoing care, while urgent care addresses acute, non-life-threatening conditions.
● Relationship with Patient: Our primary care involves a long-term relationship, while urgent care is typically a single-time interaction.
● Appointments: Primary care appointments are usually scheduled in advance, while our urgent care center provides walk-in services.
● Convenience: Urgent care centers are often open during extended hours, offering more accessible care when necessary.
● Cost: Urgent care visits are typically more expensive than primary care appointments but are more cost-effective than an emergency room visit.

Choosing the right type of care at Nova Medical Group depends on the nature of your health concern. If you have a non-urgent condition that needs attention, our primary care is the best choice.

Nova Medical Group ensures everyone has access to prompt and professional medical care. Our facility offers extended hours, opening early in the morning and closing late at night, to accommodate your busy schedule. We are equipped to handle a variety of conditions like minor fractures, sprains, burns, colds, flu, ear infections, rashes, urinary tract infections, and more. We also offer services such as X-rays, lab tests, and vaccinations.

When requiring immediate medical attention but an emergency room visit is not necessary, urgent care offers a convenient and timely solution. However, we are not a substitute for emergency rooms. If a condition is life-threatening, such as severe chest pain, major trauma, stroke symptoms, severe burns, or anything that might require surgery, it’s crucial to call 911 or go directly to an emergency room.

Remember to check our clinic’s hours and whether we accept your insurance before you visit.

We offer a cost-effective alternative to emergency room visits, providing immediate care for non-life-threatening conditions. For ongoing health concerns or complex conditions, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. If you’re feeling unwell or have suffered a minor injury, our dedicated professionals are ready to help. Trust Nova Medical Group for expert care when you need it most. Dr. Akash Patel, MD, and his team provide fast, reliable treatment for a variety of urgent medical needs. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 401 N Bedford St, East Bridgewater, MA 02333. We serve patients from East Bridgewater MA, Abington MA, Brockton MA, West Bridgewater MA, Easton MA, Taunton MA, Raynham MA, and surrounding areas.