Emergency room and Urgent Care visits tend to have one thing in common. They occur unexpectedly when prompt care is needed. The difference between the two is that Urgent Care is for immediate needs that are not life-threatening. You may be wondering what you need to do to prepare for a visit to urgent care. The MD First Primary & Urgent Care team is always available to see our patients to help you with your pressing medical needs. Below we’ve put together a guide to help patients visiting the urgent care be sure to know what to bring and what to expect during their visit.
Preparing For Your Urgent Care Visit and What To Expect
The first step to making sure your visit to Urgent Care is as easy and efficient as possible is planning ahead. Obviously, you’ll be in a hurry; you need prompt medical attention. However, since your situation isn’t life-threatening, you can take a few steps to ensure you get the care you need promptly. As you’re preparing to go, or even on your way, take the time to get the following information down and ready to provide to your provider:
- List Your Symptoms: Be as specific as possible, and make sure you don’t leave any out. The presence or absence of certain symptoms can be the difference between an accurate diagnosis and a mystery ailment. Note when the symptoms occur, what triggers them, what makes them worse, and what improves them.
- Medication List: Include a complete list of your medications. This is important as side effects must always be considered, and some medications may not be compatible with others. This doesn’t just mean your prescription medications. Include any supplements you’re taking, over-the-counter medications, and prescription medications. If you’re taking any illicit substances, report those as well. Your caretaker is only concerned about treating your symptoms; they won’t get involved with your legal concerns.
- Medical History: Bring an overview of your medical history, including previous surgeries and existing conditions. Most importantly, include allergies and any chronic conditions you may suffer.
- Get Your Questions Ready: Nothing is worse than being out the door from your appointment and realizing you forgot to ask an important question. Make sure you have these details together before you go; everything will go much smoother during your visit.
During your visit, one thing stands out as being most important for ensuring you receive quality care. Make sure that you’re open and honest with your provider. They’re there to help you recover from your injury or illness; not telling them the whole truth can make that harder and reduce the quality of the care you receive.
Get The Most Out Of Your Urgent Care Visit
When seeking treatment at urgent care, you want to ensure you get the quality care you need. Remember, your visit to urgent care is focused on taking care of your immediate need. Following your treatment, you may be told to schedule a follow-up with your PCP. The good news is you can schedule that during your visit at MD First Primary & Urgent Care if you’re already part of our patient family. Start by calling (803) 283-2300 or visiting our office in Lancaster, SC, today!
