Understanding the role and benefits of Walk-in Clinics

1. Understanding the role and benefits of Walk-in Clinics

2. Table of contents • Understanding the role and benefits of Walk-in Clinics • Urgent Care Clinics • Benefits of Walk-in Clinics • Fast and High-quality Medical Care • Space • Immediate assistance • Affordable and Professional Service • Flexible business hours

3. Understanding the role and benefits of Walk-in Clinics A walk-in clinic It is a medical facility that offers health care services without the need of an appointment. There are a number of healthcare organisations that fall under this category, including urgent care centres, retail clinics and free clinics. All of these facilities have the offer have fast, affordable and convenient medical care in common.

4. Originally, walk-in clinics were used as a way to serve uninsured patients for minor, non-life-threatening conditions, with emphasis given on convenience and affordability. They treat a range of common conditions such as skin conditions, sore throats, allergic reactions, lacerations, minor injuries and provide health screenings and medical tests. Some walk-in clinics administer vaccinations and provide school physicals, and there are even clinics that have developed certified weight loss and lifestyle management programs.

5. All types of walk-in clinics are usually staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants, factors which contribute to making the visit more affordable than an emergency room. They can usually be found in numerous locations, near retail stores or pharmacies for maximum patient convenience. Because walk-in clinics are open longer daytime and evening hours, seven days a week, they are convenient for patients to utilize, and are a good alternative for when their doctor’s office is closed or the when the next available appointment is not suitable.

6. Access to a patient’s medical records depends on the whether the walk-in clinic is affiliated with a larger medical facility. If the walk-in clinic is part of a hospital or larger clinic, it may mean that it will have full access to all the medical records belonging to the larger institution.

7. Urgent Care Clinics An urgent care clinic is similar to a retail walk-in clinic but offers additional services. These clinics also treat patients whose injuries are not life-threatening, but they also have the ability to treat patients that need immediate medical care, such as in the case of burns and broken bones. Unlike retail walk-in clinics, they are often equipped with x-rays and staffed by physicians, and for these reasons the cost of a visit to an urgent care clinic is significantly higher compared to a retail clinic visit. As with all walk-in clinics, these facilities are aimed at offering patients an alternative to expensive hospital visits or emergency rooms.

8. Benefits of Walk-in Clinics As mentioned above, the main focus for walk-in clinics is convenient and affordable medical care, coupled with professional service. The doctors and staff are fully trained in emergency care and capable of providing services to treat minor injuries and mild illnesses. Whether it is a need for a speedy check-up, or treatment for a fracture without needing to visit the ER, walk-in clinics are the most convenient option.

9. Fast and High-quality Medical Care More often than not, visiting the emergency room is a daunting experience. They are usually crowded, loud, and overall stressful. Adding to that, when the medical need is a minor injury or non-life-threatening issue, patients are pushed to the back of the line, meaning that they are stuck there for hours, waiting to be treated. Luckily for these cases, walk-in clinics provide the best alternative. In addition, urgent care clinics can offer quick and comprehensive care for more serious injuries.

10. Space One of the reasons ERs are so cramped is because all cases, whether serious or minor, are queued to be treated. By choosing to visit a walk-in clinic instead of an emergency room, the number of patients waiting to be treated is far less, the process is much quicker and the experience is more comfortable than a visit to your typical ER. In addition, every visit to a walk-in facility instead of an emergency room means that less strain is put on the already overwhelmed ERs, and more focus and time is spent on more challenging cases.

11. Immediate assistance When choosing to visit a walk-in facility, what becomes almost immediately evident is the short waiting time. As one of the biggest problems of ERs is the long waiting time, having access to medical care that is prompt and efficient is a welcoming option. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis meaning that wait times are greatly reduced, which in turns translates to happy and loyal patients.

12. Affordable and Professional Service Affordable service does not mean that professionalism is compromised. The medical staff at walk-in clinics are experienced and fully trained in order to treat any case that comes in the facility. Furthermore, the fact that the cost to get treated is significantly lower than a visit to an emergency room at least means that the financial aspect of a visit will not be an issue.

13. Flexible business hours As many walk-in clinics are open evenings and weekends, they are especially convenient for people with odd working schedules and unconventional lifestyles.

14. Contact details Bay College Medical & Lockwood Diagnostic Phone: 416-929-1900 Email: info@lockwoodclinic.com Address: 790 Bay St., Suite 108 Toronto, ON M5G 1N8 Website: https://lockwoodclinic.com/walk-in-clinic/