Think all urgent cares are the same? Think again.

Over 7,500 medical practices in the United States that call themselves urgent care centers(1) and another 2,000+ retail clinics.(2)

That’s a lot to choose from.

Currently most states, including Connecticut, have no specific law that says who can — or cannot — call themselves an urgent care. Instead, practices follow the same criteria for opening any regular medical office (i.e.; business licenses, medical licenses, and applicable registration of X-ray or lab). Just because a facility calls itself an urgent care, walk-in care, or immediate care, it does NOT necessarily mean it has the expertise and/or the equipment to handle a serious (but non-life threatening) sudden illness or injury.

So, how do you know which urgent care is right for you? When you’re in the midst of a medical situation that requires immediate attention — but is not serious enough for a trip to a hospital Emergency Department — don’t you want an urgent care that has the ability and the equipment to treat what ails you?

All pizza is good. But some pizza is better than others.

There are lots of kinds of pizza… thin crust, thick crust, deep dish, gluten-free, plus a wide variety of toppings from which to choose. It all depends on what you want. Well, it’s the same with urgent cares. Some can handle a variety of medical situations. And, some cannot.

Which type of urgent care is right for you?

Look for an urgent care, which offer services that fit your needs. Ask yourself…

• Does the urgent care treat all, most or some non-life threatening illnesses and injuries?
• What kind of medical background does its staff have? Will you be treated by a provider with general medicine or emergency medicine training and experience?
• Does it treat patients of all ages (such as infants or the elderly) or just certain age groups?
• Does it offer on-site X-rays, blood work, pharmacy or respiratory treatments?
• If needed, could you get stitches for cuts or castings for sprains or broken bones?
• Is the urgent care CERTIFIED? (Urgent cares, which are Certified and Accredited by the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA), are more likely to provide higher quality care and a wider range of treatment).
• Does the urgent care have extended weekday and weekend hours?
• Is it conveniently near you?

Why New England Urgent Care stands out from the rest.

New England Urgent Care has been Certified by the Urgent Care Association of America and is directed by board-certified, ER-trained physicians with over 25 years emergency medicine experience. It is the only urgent care system in the state of Connecticut — and one of very few in the country — which staffs its clinics with Emergency Medicine Nurses and Providers. This distinction puts New England Urgent Care well ahead of the others in its ability to take care of sick/injured patients in the most competent and efficient manner possible.

Patients can walk in to any of the four, award-winning New England Urgent Care locations to receive treatment for all non-life threatening illness and injuries for all age groups, including newborns and the elderly. Its medical staff draws blood, places IV lines for hydration, takes X-rays, provides respiratory treatments and health assessments, prescribes and dispenses medication, and participates in all areas of patient treatment.

Now you know — not all urgent cares are the same!

Be prepared. Know in advance where to find the highest quality urgent care near you before an urgent medical situation arises. For more information about award-winning New England Urgent Care, click here.

1. http://www.ucaoa.org/?page=IndustryFAQs

2. http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/35/3/449.full.pdf+html