When an injury strikes, your first thought might be to head straight to the emergency room (ER). After all, it’s where you go for urgent medical needs, right? While the ER is crucial for life-threatening emergencies, did you know that for many common injuries, an immediate care clinic can save you a lot of money and time?

It’s true! Immediate care clinics are designed to treat injuries and illnesses that need quick attention but aren’t severe enough to be an emergency. Immediate Care is your go-to for those unexpected bumps, scrapes, and pains that just can’t wait for a regular doctor’s appointment.

Choosing immediate care over the ER can make a big difference in your wallet and your schedule. ERs are set up to handle the most serious cases, which means they have more specialized staff, equipment, and a higher operating cost. Plus, if your injury isn’t life-threatening, you’ll likely face a longer wait time at the ER while doctors treat more critical patients.

So, how can you know when immediate care is the smarter choice? Here are 10 common injuries that are perfectly suited for an immediate care visit, saving you money and getting you back to feeling better faster.

Sprains and Strains

Twisted your ankle playing basketball? Or maybe you pulled a muscle lifting something heavy? Sprains (injuries to ligaments) and strains (injuries to muscles or tendons) are incredibly common. While painful, they rarely need an ER visit. NMC Health’s Immediate Care clinic will check for fractures (broken bones) by sending you to get X-rays. Then they can provide proper support like braces or crutches, along with advice for recovery.

Cuts and Lacerations

Accidents happen, and sometimes they result in cuts that are too deep for a bandage but not life-threatening. If you have a cut that might need stitches, but it’s not bleeding heavily or exposing bone or muscle, head to immediate care. They can clean the wound, close it up with stitches or special glue, and make sure it heals well, preventing infection.

Minor Burns

Burnt yourself on a hot pan or got a bad sunburn? First-degree burns (red, painful skin) and some second-degree burns (blisters) can often be treated at an immediate care clinic. They can clean the burn, apply special creams, and dress the wound to promote healing and prevent infection. Serious burns, especially those that are deep, cover a large area, or are on the face, hands, or feet, still need the ER.

Animal Bites (Minor)

A playful nip from a pet or a minor scratch from a stray can sometimes break the skin. For small animal bites that aren’t deep or profusely bleeding, immediate care can help. They’ll clean the wound thoroughly, assess for infection risk, and might give you a tetanus shot or antibiotics if needed. For deep bites or bites from unknown animals, the ER is still the safest bet.

Splinters and Foreign Object Removal

Got a stubborn splinter under your skin, or something small stuck in your ear that you can’t get out? Immediate care is equipped to safely remove foreign objects from your body. Trying to remove these yourself can sometimes cause more harm.

Allergic Reactions (Minor)

If you experience a mild allergic reaction, like hives, itching, or a rash after coming into contact with something you’re sensitive to (e.g., insect bites or plants like poison ivy), immediate care can provide quick relief. They can assess your symptoms, prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids, and help manage the reaction. However, if you have any difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness, this is a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and requires an immediate ER visit.

Sports Injuries (Non-Emergency)

From jammed fingers to minor knee twists, sports often lead to minor injuries. If you’re experiencing pain, swelling, or limited movement after a sports incident but can still move the limb, an immediate care center can assess the injury, direct you to have X-rays taken if needed, and guide your recovery.

Bruises and Contusions

While a simple bruise can usually be treated at home, a large, painful bruise (contusion) that might hide an underlying injury could benefit from a check-up. Immediate care can make sure there isn’t a deeper problem, especially if the bruise is very swollen or you can’t move the affected area properly.

Foot or Ankle Pain (Non-Traumatic)

Suddenly developed pain in your foot or ankle without a clear injury? It could be something like tendonitis or a stress fracture that’s not an emergency but still needs medical attention. Immediate care can diagnose the problem and start you on the path to relief.

Minor Fractures

Not all broken bones are equal. If you suspect a minor break, like a toe fracture or a clean break in a finger without the bone sticking out, immediate care is often the right place to go. At NMC Health’s Immediate Care clinic, you’ll be asked to travel to the Medical Center for X-rays, but you can come back where they’ll confirm the break and put you in a temporary splint. If it’s a more complex fracture, they’ll know when to send you to your primary care provider or a specialist. 

Why Immediate Care Saves You Money and Time

• Lower Costs: Urgent care visits are significantly cheaper than ER visits for the same condition. While an ER visit can cost thousands of dollars, an immediate care visit often falls in the hundreds, sometimes even less with insurance.
• Shorter Wait Times: ERs prioritize the most critical patients. If your injury isn’t life-threatening, you could wait for hours. Immediate care clinics typically have much shorter wait times, getting you seen faster.
• Convenience: Immediate Care offers walk-in appointments and has extended hours, making it easy to get care when your regular doctor’s office is closed.

Knowing when to choose immediate care not only benefits your health by getting you timely treatment, but also helps you avoid unnecessary expenses and long waits. So, the next time a minor injury strikes, remember immediate care  – it’s a smart choice for your health and your wallet!