By Matthew J Malone
A 24 hour medical clinic can be an efficient concept for emergency medicine and is a trustworthy source of premium health care services. In situations where patients require immediate attention and treatment it provides availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. These clinics treat a wide array of conditions and patients of all ages and income levels.
A 24 hour walk in clinic specializing in emergency medicine furnishes an affordable alternative to conventional hospital emergency room services, and without compromising on service quality. They can usually accept most commercial insurance plans, credit and debit cards, as well as payments by check.
The team of board certified doctors and experienced paramedics, registered nurses and other staff of these urgent care institutions are well trained to competently treat minor or critical emergency cases. They’re professionals at stabilizing patients with both care and speed. Each emergency center is equipped with in house medical test-conducting laboratories and radiology departments for CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds. The dedicated doctors, nurses, staff and the large number of emergency rooms within most 24 hour emergency clinics limit patient wait time to 15 minutes or even less. This is unlike multi-specialty, traditional hospital emergency departments often characterized with long and agonizing wait times.
A 24 hour walk in clinic usually has an arrangement with a nearby hospital to directly transfer stabilized patients requiring inpatient care to a long-term bed or to share patient records with regular doctors. Trauma support that is provided by an urgent care clinic usually treats patients with multiple traumatic injuries resulting from falls, accidents and/or assaults. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) certification is an assurance taken by 24 hour medical clinics to ensure compliance with Trauma Support standards. An emergency center with a level one ACS designation will have a diverse panel of well qualified trauma specialists and nurses that are trained in the ACSs Advance Trauma Life Support course.
These free-standing hospital’s physicians include neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and orthopedic surgeons. The clinic often has separate pediatric wards and sophisticated equipment for treating those in highly critical condition. Stand alone emergency rooms that offer trauma services will increase the chance of survival for critically injured patients by almost 25 percent.
Understanding the options of where to take yourself or someone else in an emergency situation ahead of time can make the difference between life and death. Take the time to access your local emergency options so you have no hesitation in the event of a trauma situation.