How to Seek Medical Attention after an Accident?

Urgent care facilities are a type of medical clinic that provides immediate care for non-life-threatening injuries and conditions. These facilities typically have shorter wait times and lower costs than emergency rooms, making them a good option for individuals who need immediate medical attention but who do not require emergency care.
 
Going to urgent care after a car accident grants you access to the medical services, diagnostic testing, and experienced healthcare providers needed to access your overall health and provide treatment if necessary. Urgent care facilities are equipped to handle a wide range of medical conditions, both physical, mental, and psychological, that typically occur after a car accident.
 
In addition to providing high-level medical care, an urgent care can also provide you with any medical documentation you may need to file a claim or pursue legal action as a result of your accident.

Car accidents are never planned and don’t restrict themselves to business hours. This is why urgent care centers are often the first place that patients visit, as you don’t require an appointment to be seen by a doctor, and same-day visits are welcome.
 
Urgent care centers commonly work on a first-come-first-serve basis. They offer walk-in or same-day services and extended hours to accommodate those that are in need of immediate non-emergency care. Wait times to be seen by a medical professional are also considerably lower than that of the emergency room, with the average being between 10-15 minutes.

Yes! One of the biggest draws of urgent care is that they’re far more numerous and offer much shorter wait times than compared to hospitals.
 
As urgent care facilities typically deal with non-emergency medical issues, you won’t have to wait as long to be seen by a physician. They also operate on a first come first serve basis, which elevates the rate of care, in contrast to hospitals which provide care based on the severity of the condition patients come in with. 
 
The services provided at urgent care centers are also typically less expensive than those same services provided at the ER, making it the more affordable option for many.

Yes! Most urgent care facilities have the following diagnostic tools which allow for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment following your accident:
 
● Audiometer. Which test and measures for hearing loss.
● Centrifuge. Which produces lab samples that can be used for study.
● Cryogenics. Which are used to freeze off certain dermatological conditions.
● ECG/EKG. To identify any cardiac issues.
● Hematology equipment. To take blood samples.
● Hyfrecator. Which removes skin lesions.
● IVs. To administer fluids and medications.
● Microscope. For the examination of stool, urine, blood, and sputum.
● Spirometer. Which effectively measures lung capacity.
● X-ray machines. To provide internal imaging of bones, organs, and soft tissue.
 
In the case that the urgent care you visit doesn’t have certain types of testing available, they will refer you to a diagnostic clinic or to the ER to complete the assessments you need.
 
If you’re in need of medical care following a car accident, contact us at PACS Urgent Care. We offer comprehensive testing, diagnosis, and treatment to ensure that your health and wellness are protected following your accident. We have convenient locations in Alexandria, VA, and  Ruther Glen VA. We serve patients from Alexandria VA, Huntington VA, Arlington VA, Ruther Glen VA, Bagdad VA, Athens VA, Doswell VA, and surrounding areas.