All too frequently, sickness or injury strikes suddenly. You might wake up in the middle of the night with severe stomach discomfort. Maybe you trip over your groceries and twist your ankle while climbing a flight of stairs. Or, perhaps your baby gets a high fever over the weekend, right when your primary doctor’s office may be closed.
After an unexpected illness or injury, we frequently don’t know where to go. Should we go to a walk-in or urgent care clinic or rush to the emergency hospital? It can be especially confusing when the symptoms appear severe, and our primary doctor’s office is closed. Understanding the distinction between a walk-in clinic, an urgent care facility, and a hospital emergency department in El Paso can be quite helpful, even if the solution is not always straightforward. However, if you’re still unsure about which facility to visit first, here are some tips to help you determine what to do in a medical emergency.
Looking for an urgent care clinic in El Paso? Contact Paseo Nuevo Urgent Care today! (915) 777-3493
Importance of a Walk-In Clinic Visit
Since a medical condition requires prompt attention, it can be difficult to distinguish whether to go for an emergency room visit or a walk-in clinic visit. However, there are clear distinctions between walk-in clinics and hospital emergency rooms, along with the amount of care that is offered at each.
Day or night, hospital emergency rooms offer medical attention whenever needed. Unlike urgent care facilities or walk-in clinics, hospital emergency rooms are equipped to address the most complex or essential life-saving needs, from life and limb-threatening crises such as strokes or heart attacks to devastating injuries from a car accident and much more.
However, if you are experiencing an injury or illness while your primary physician’s office is closed and you are unable to wait for an appointment, urgent care facilities can fill the critical gap. But in most cases, the emergency department is usually not necessary if you have a sickness or injury that you would typically feel comfortable discussing with your regular care physician.
Instead, consider visiting a walk-in clinic, a more comfortable setting, where you will be treated with the utmost care and attention. Walk-in clinics are often not rushed because they aren’t overrun with critical care cases. This allows them to offer extra time and care to find a proper treatment plan for your illness or injury.
Signs You Should Visit a Walk-In Clinic
Walk-in clinics are a good alternative when your illness is not severe enough for the emergency department, and provide quick and easy access to health and medical care. A reservation is not required in a walk-in clinic visit, and registered nurses and medical assistants will typically assist you.
Before a walk-in clinic visit, prepare a list of all the medications you use, including over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins, along with information on how much and how frequently you take each one.
Note any of your past medical treatments and operations, along with the dates they took place and information about the medical personnel who treated you. In addition, note any allergies you may have, including any reactions you have to medications.
It is extremely important for the medical personnel treating you to be aware of procedures you’ve undergone in the past or if you’re allergic to any medications or anesthesia, especially in an emergency. Neglecting any serious medical symptoms or illnesses can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, it is critical to seek medical care immediately after experiencing any concerning symptoms.
Following are some of the main symptoms of visiting a walk-in clinic in El Paso:
- Mild flu
- Painful urination
- Sore throat
- Eye redness, itchiness, and discharge
- Skin rashes without fever
- Congestion and cough
- Ear pain
Contact Paseo Nuevo, El Paso’s Top Urgent Care Clinic
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the above symptoms or are unsure why you are experiencing medical issues, you can contact us for the best walk-in clinic care in El Paso, TX.
Call Paseo Nuevo at (915) 777-3493 today.
