If you’re sick and need medical care quickly, urgent care might be just what you need, but if you have a medical emergency, you’ll need to go to the emergency room. Knowing the difference between these two facilities can help you obtain the level of care you need, which – in turn – can lead to better health outcomes.
However, if the care you receive in either facility doesn’t reach the standard required by the profession, or you are injured, you may have a medical malpractice claim. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you with that.
Urgent Care
Urgent care is designed to provide patients with relatively speedy care when they have a medical concern that isn’t an emergency but does require medical attention. If, for example, your child has an ear infection, but you can’t get them in to see their regular doctor right away, urgent care may be a welcome option.
Treatment You Need When You Need It
Even relatively minor healthcare concerns can morph into serious problems without proper treatment. Urgent care facilities offer care that can help ward off more serious health problems, especially outside of regular office hours.
The Level of Care
It’s important to note that urgent care centers generally provide a limited level of care in terms of the tests they can perform and the treatments they can offer. If you need medical attention relatively quickly but not in an emergency, an urgent care facility is likely the right choice.
The Benefits
If the medical problem you’re experiencing isn’t an emergency, there are a range of benefits associated with going to an urgent care service provider rather than an emergency room, including:
- It’s likely to be far less expensive.
- You’re likely to be seen much more quickly.
- The waiting room may be less crowded, which can be a healthier option.
The Emergency Room
If you’re facing a medical emergency, you need the care an emergency room can offer. Emergency rooms are generally located within hospital complexes, and they have significantly more medical resources at their disposal as a result. Emergency rooms have access to full labs, wide-ranging medications, surgical intervention, and a staff of medical professionals, and as a result, they can handle life-threatening conditions.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice claims are based on negligence, which refers to a failure to provide the professional standard of care the patient owes in the given situation. The standard of care you’re owed at urgent care is distinct from that in an emergency room, and your medical malpractice claim will need to reflect the circumstances of the medical care you received.
Discuss Your Claim with Our Experienced Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
The reputable Harrisburg medical malpractice lawyers at Marzella & Associates unleash the full force of our imposing legal skill and experience for every client we faithfully represent, and we’re on your side. For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 717-876-8681 to schedule a free consultation today.