Urgent Care Service Provided by NJ Primary Care
Picture this – it’s the middle of a busy weekend and your child falls. You reach down to comfort them and see that they’ve busted their lip open. Do you take them to the emergency room or urgent care?
Your first inclination might be to take them to the emergency room, but with the average wait time being around 194 minutes, you might not want to deal with that. Heading to urgent care in Jersey City might be the best option for you and your family.
Local urgent care facilities in New Jersey offer a wide range of care and services. This blog will discuss some of the urgent care services provided by NJ Primary Care.
What Is Urgent Care?
Urgent care facilities are designed for patients who are dealing with an injury or illness that doesn’t seem life-threatening. However, whatever they’re suffering from is something that can’t wait until the next day or for an appointment with their primary care doctor.
Urgent care facilities are also great options for days or hours when primary care offices are closed. It’s ideal for patients who don’t have a physician they regularly see. There are many services offered by urgent care facilities that make it a better option than heading to the emergency room.
Urgent care facilities can treat many conditions, including:
- Colds and flu
- Asthma
- Falls, broken bones, strains, and sprains
- Cuts and burns
- Animal and insect bites
- Ear and sinus infections
- Pink eye
- Bronchitis and strep throat
Laboratory Services
The lab services provided by urgent care offices are the same ones you can expect from a primary care physician or emergency room. These lab services make it easier for urgent care staff to help and diagnose their patients.
Some of the lab services they provide include:
- COVID-19 and flu tests
- STD tests
- Pregnancy tests
- Blood tests
- Fecal blood occult
- Urinalysis
- Strep tests
Lab tests may be used in conjunction with additional treatments, diagnostic tests, and other items.
Physical Exams and Preventative Services
Patients can head to urgent care to seek preventative care services. These may include:
- Gynecologic exams
- Well baby and child visits
- Annual, sports, school, or DOT physicals
- Vaccinations
- Drug screenings
- Initial health screenings
Staff will start your physical exam by checking your vitals and weight. These vitals can include:
- Temperature
- Heart rate
- Weight
- Blood pressure
You’ll meet with a physician to talk about your health history and if you’re concerned about any symptoms you might be experiencing. They’ll also check various parts of your body, such as your:
- Reflexes
- Muscle strength
- Abdomen
- Skin and nails
- Lungs and heart
- Ears
It’s recommended that most adults and children get physical exams once a year.
Telemedicine Services
Going to the doctor in person can be time-consuming. You might be feeling so unwell that the prospect of driving to urgent care and sitting in the waiting room sounds exhausting. Many urgent care facilities offer telemedicine services designed for your convenience.
Telemedicine and telehealth services are visits that can be conducted remotely. They’re performed 100% online. Some of the devices you can use in these appointments include your:
- Tablet
- Laptop
- Mobile device
Keep in mind that you can’t receive telemedicine support for every medical problem. Some conditions require patients to go in person to the urgent care office. You may consider telehealth if you’re dealing with one of the following things:
- Throat, nose, or ear ailments
- Seasonal allergies or colds
- Joint pains or aches
- Infections or skin rashes
- Vomiting or nausea
- Headaches
Telemedicine appointments are also great options if you need to follow up on a previous visit or go over lab results.
X-Ray Services
Urgent care facilities offer various X-ray services to their patients. X-rays are common imaging tests that can diagnose various issues. This can include chronic pain conditions and acute illnesses.
Examples of imaging services an urgent care office may offer include:
- CT scans
- MRIs
- Ultrasounds
You can often get your results in as little as 15 minutes. Your technician will go over the results with you and create a treatment plan.
Burn Treatments
Burns can be painful and complicated injuries if they’re not treated right away. There are four main categories of burns:
- First-degree burns
- Second-degree burns
- Third-degree burns
- Four-degree burns
Most urgent care facilities can help treat first or second-degree burns. You may have to seek other medical attention if you sustain large third or fourth-degree burns.
Pediatric Services
Urgent care facilities have pediatric physicians on staff who can treat different childhood ailments or injuries. In addition to treating illnesses, they can also complete physical exams.
Some of the reasons why you may want to take your child to an urgent care facility include:
- Minor fractures, cuts, and burns
- Fevers
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Sports injuries
- Mild allergic reactions
- Sore throat, ear infection, flu, or cold
Laceration Services
You don’t always need to head to the emergency room when dealing with a deep cut. Large wounds that expose bone, muscle, or fat are a different matter. Urgent care facilities have experience treating various types of lacerations.
There are various treatments they can apply to treat a laceration, such as:
- Staples
- Skin glue
- Sutures
Sutures, or stitches, are the most commonly used treatment option for lacerations. This solution leaves less scarring than staples. Staples are ideal for straight and large lacerations.
Occupational Health Services
Occupational health teams in urgent care work with insurers, employees, and employers. They connect with employers and workers to prevent illnesses or injuries from occurring. They also partner with workers while on medical leave to ensure they can return to work safely.
Stay on Top of Your Health With Urgent Care in Jersey City
Getting medical care doesn’t have to be complicated. You can find high-quality local medical care at your nearby urgent care office. Their medical staff will diagnose your condition and provide a treatment plan.
If you’re looking for reliable urgent care in Jersey City, look no further than NJ Primary Care. Our goal is to provide you with fast service while getting you on the road to recovery. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive medical services.