An accident or illness can strike anyone at any time. While emergency rooms are important institutions for keeping the people of our society safe and healthy, making a trip to one isn’t always necessary. What many people don’t know is that there are alternatives to the emergency room where you can receive care immediately, without the cost or wait associated with the ER.

Oftentimes, illness and even some injuries can be treated at these other institutions, so that you don’t have to endure the stress of the ER. However, with that being said, if you are suffering from a major injury or illness, it is possible that you could require the resources of the ER but hopefully, this is not the case for you. If you feel like you need immediate attention but do not think that the situation is serious enough for the ER, here are alternatives for urgent care.

Retail Clinics

Often referred to as convenient care clinics, you can find retail clinics in stores like supermarkets and pharmacies. The professionals there will be able to advise you on treating minor illnesses and injuries by suggesting over-the-counter medications at Health Canada Pharmacy. You can also receive minor yet important procedures here, such as flu shots or blood pressure testing.

If you are looking for a walk-in clinic near you, retail clinics could be the solution you are searching for. Usually, these types of stores are scattered about in nearly every town, so finding one nearby shouldn’t be too difficult. For those who suffer from head colds or minor abrasions, these convenient care clinics can help you get your health back on track, with the added conveniences of your local pharmacy.

Physician’s Office

Many physician’s or doctor’s offices accept walk-in appointments in order to help treat patients that need more immediate attention. These offices will be able to prescribe prescription medications in order to heal your ailments, as opposed to the retail clinics mentioned above. Additionally, if your injuries are more serious, a physician’s office will have the tools they need in order to help you.

Though you might not be able to walk right in and see a doctor immediately like you could see a pharmacist at a retail clinic, this form of urgent care can still ensure that you will see a doctor that day. If you have an illness or concern that has been on-going, doctors at these facilities can address the issues more closely than those at a retail clinic. Lastly, if the doctor believes you need to seek further medical attention, they can refer you to a nearby hospital or specialist that will be able to better assist you.

Home Care Options

As of late, there seems to be a rise in the popularity of doctors who makes house calls. Usually, when we watch old films or television shows that portray a doctor coming to the house to tend to a sick family member, many of us think, “How odd.” Many are now beginning to reconsider the convenience of a house call doctor, especially in times of urgency.

Doctors who come to your home are just as qualified and experienced as the doctors you can find in any physician’s office; they just choose to practice medicine in a different location. If you or a loved one has an urgent medical concern, home care can bring a level of convenience and peace-of-mind to your household.

For those who are elderly or have trouble leaving the house, home care options are great solutions for general, medical care, and urgent care options. Usually, caregivers that watch after this part of our population also have training in assisting during urgent care situations. So if you are unable to leave your home, your regular home care provider might be able to help in the event of a minor injury.

Urgent Care Centers

Much like the ER, many urgent care centers have extended hours so that you can receive the care you need when you need it the most. While these centers can handle more intense illnesses and injuries, they cannot be used in place of the emergency room if the patient is in critical condition. However, if you have sustained an injury or have a high fever while ill, these centers will be able to help you get better.

As far as finding urgent care near you, there is a multitude of these facilities across the nation. Many of these centers can also perform the same functions as a physician’s office. Instead of just tending to urgent medical needs, you might also be able to attend such an office for your regular doctor’s visit, which can add a level of convenience to your life.

Many of these options are more efficient and cost-effective than running to the ER for minor injuries and illnesses. If you believe that you need urgent care but don’t need to visit the ER, any of these solutions could prove to be beneficial to both your health and your wallet.