Walk In Clinic Overview

Answer 1

A walk in clinic is a medical facility that provides non-emergency medical care services. They are also known as immediate care or urgent care facilities. These clinics are available as freestanding centers, extensions of physician practices, hospitals and drug stores. The difference between these clinics is the qualifications of the staff that provides the services and the medical conditions they treat. It is important to verify whether the walk in clinic you plan to visit offers the type of care that you need.

Most walk in clinics are freestanding facilities that are staffed by one or more physicians, nurses, medical assistants and other healthcare professionals. You don't need an appointment to receive treatment for burns, minor cuts, flu, sinus infections and other non-life-threatening medical conditions. Other services include gynecological care, vaccinations and diagnostic testing. The physicians who run these clinics usually advise patients to seek follow-up care from their primary care physician or a specialist.

Large medical practices sometimes operate urgent care beyond the normal hours of the practice. If your physician is a member of this type of practice, the clinic will have access to your medical records.

Hospital-based clinics have one major benefit over other urgent care clinics. They can immediately transfer patients who need advanced tests or hospital-level care to the emergency department or admit the patient to the hospital. This type of clinic ensures that valuable emergency resources aren't used for routine care. It also reduces the extensive wait in the hospital's emergency department.

In many communities, retail pharmacies offer basic healthcare services inside their stores. These walk in clinics are generally staffed by a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner. The services rendered include cholesterol screenings and school physicals. These healthcare professionals also treat straightforward, common illnesses, such as strep throat and pink eye. The fee for treatments at these clinics is generally much less than comparable services provided in other healthcare settings. Many patients appreciate the convenience of receiving their healthcare services, prescription medication, OTC remedies and medical supplies in a single location.