Accidents can happen at any time and in any place. No one looks forward to it, but in these situations, urgent care clinics exist to provide convenient medical care. They aim to bridge the gap between emergency room visits and typical primary care. If you have never been to an urgent care facility before, you might not be sure what to expect at an urgent care facility.
Let’s talk about some of the most common urgent care procedures and where you can find the best urgent care center in Stokes County, NC.
Minor Wound Care
Sometimes you might just shrug off cuts, scrapes, and burns as things that happen in your daily life. However, it’s important to remember that any break in the skin can lead to infection.
Depending on your health and other factors, even a minor skin infection could turn into something serious or life-threatening if ignored.
Healthcare providers in urgent care clinics address a variety of minor skin injuries, including cuts, scratches, and burns. They will clean and dress your wound, prescribe medication to prevent infection or manage any pain you might be feeling.
Cuts
When dealing with minor cuts, it’s important to keep the wound clean, sterilized, and bandaged. In some cases, medication may be necessary to prevent infection or ease pain.
Scratches
Scratches are like mild cuts that may not always bleed. It’s important to clean and dress the wound and consider using an antibiotic ointment to avoid infection.
Burns
For minor burns, over-the-counter gels or creams can be used after cleaning the skin. However, chemical, electrical, or severe burns may require advanced medical attention to ensure there is no internal damage.
More Serious Cuts
Sutures can help more serious cuts heal faster by holding the edges of the skin together. However, whether or not you need them will depend on various factors, such as:
- The size and location of the injury
- The amount of bleeding
- Your overall health
If you’re unsure whether your injury requires stitches, it’s best to consult a medical professional. When deemed necessary, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the affected area before the sutures are threaded.
Some stitches dissolve on their own, while others will need to be removed at a follow-up appointment.
Digital X-Ray Imaging
At times, identifying the cause of your symptoms may require more than just a history and physical examination. High-quality imaging services are thus helpful in understanding what is going on inside the body.
Digital X-rays are now essential in diagnosing an array of illnesses and injuries unseen by the naked eye. Examples include:
- Broken bones
- Respiratory infections
- Foreign objects lodged inside the body
Digital X-rays use only low doses of radiation to produce detailed images of the inside of your body. They are also quick, painless, and non-invasive.
Urgent care clinics often have board-certified radiologists who can review the images within 30 minutes. This ensures you get expert findings as soon as possible.
Earwax Removal
Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural substance that cleans and protects the ear canal. Sometimes, it can build up and cause the following:
- Ear fullness
- A blocked sensation
- Diminished hearing
Your healthcare provider can use a special tool called an otoscope to take a look inside your ear canals.
If they discover too much earwax, they can safely remove it. They may flush the wax out with warm water or remove it using gentle suction.
They may apply ear wax softening drops before irrigation to make the removal process easier. Their cleaning technique is highly effective in helping you regain your sense of hearing in the affected ear.
Intravenous (IV) Fluid Administration
IV therapy is a quick and effective way to deliver fluids, blood, or medication directly into the body through the veins. It is particularly useful for patients who need immediate drug or fluid delivery.
You may need IV fluid administration due to:
- Dehydration
- Excessive vomiting and diarrhea
- Infection that requires IV antibiotic therapy
Determining the suitable amount and type of IV fluids and the ideal rate of administration can be difficult. Providers in urgent care centers have the expertise to give suitable health recommendations and care.
Splinting and Partial Casting
For non-life-threatening conditions involving broken bones or sprains, help is available. Casts and splints are commonly used to immobilize the injured limb and promote healing.
Initially, splints are preferred due to swelling, which can be later replaced with a cast once the swelling goes down.
Casts are made from plaster or fiber glass and provide more support than splints. On the other hand, splints are easier and faster to use but provide less support.
Urgent Care in Stokes County, NC
Cardinal Urgent Care’s state-of-the-art facility is ready to serve your healthcare needs seven days a week. Our team— led by board-certified emergency room physician Dr. Samir Patel—values the convenience, time, health, and overall experience of the people in the community we are privileged to serve. As such, we strive to provide comprehensive, highly efficient,compassionate care, so our patients can quickly get back to doing the things they love to do.
No appointment is needed – just walk in. For more information on our services, please call our friendly team at (336) 983-9111.
