Urgent Care Centers: Why are they Growing?

Urgent care centers are gaining immense popularity in recent years due to the convenience and quality of care they provide. These centers provide quick, convenient access to medical care, allowing patients to get the care they need without having to wait for days or weeks for an appointment with a primary care provider. Interest is growing 7 percent each year, with over 11,000 urgent cares currently running, according to the Urgent Care Association.

 

Why Do Americans Go To Urgent Care Centers?

Urgent care centers have shorter wait times than many hospitals or emergency rooms, making them an ideal option for those who need medical care quickly. Most patients are seen in less than an hour, which varies greatly from several hours to days before being seen by a doctor.

 

urgent care centers are expanding
A man leaves an urgent care center

Medical Ailments Treated at an Urgent Care

 

Urgent care centers provide a wide range of services and treatments, as well as access to specialists, which can help ensure that patients get the care they need when they need it. This can be especially helpful for those who do not have reliable access to healthcare or who have chronic illnesses that require frequent medical attention. Furthermore, urgent care centers have shorter wait times than many hospitals or emergency rooms, making them an ideal option for those who need medical care quickly.

 

Urgent care centers offer medical assistance for minor to limited-type severe issues. Normal treatments provided include general primary care, lab work, X-rays, and minor surgical procedures, which can be completed in a short amount of time. This makes them an ideal option for those who need medical care but do not have the time or resources to wait for an appointment. Additionally, these centers are often more affordable than visiting a hospital or emergency room, and they often have extended hours, making them accessible to a wider range of people.

 

Since 2019, urgent cares have seen more than 50 percent spike in growth. Covid-19 was a major factor in the increase. Many centers provided Covid-19 testing, and this was a draw towards urgent care because you could get a test much sooner than if you would make an appointment with a primary care provider. The convenience and cost-effectiveness of urgent care centers have made them a popular choice for people seeking prompt medical attention, which was seen widely during the pandemic.

 

Urgent care centers are staffed by experienced medical professionals to include nurse practitioners, medical assistants, etc., and can provide an affordable option for those who do not have access to traditional primary care providers. Also, they can provide a much-needed bridge between primary care and emergency care, helping to ensure that people receive the right level of medical attention when they need it most.

 

Conclusion

In short, urgent care centers are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience, affordability, and wide range of services. They provide quick access to medical care and can often be more affordable than traditional options, making them an ideal option for those who need medical care but cannot wait for an appointment. Additionally, they provide access to specialists and can help ensure that patients get the care they need when they need it.

 

Staffing Your Urgent Care Center

If you operate an urgent care center, staffing with top notch clinical professionals is of paramount importance. At Momentum Healthcare Staffing, we match you with the best nurse practitioners and physicians and we handle for permanent and Locum Tenens assignments. Contact us if you have any questions: (877) 558-3782.

Related Posts

Healthcare Recruiting News

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Healthcare Staffing Shortages—How Are Companies Handling Them?

It’s safe to say modern America has never been more appreciative of healthcare workers than since the pandemic began. Our healthcare, our lives, really, were (and are) in the hands of these medical professionals and they have been the backbone of this crisis. Now, hospitals, urgent care centers, doctor’s offices, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities across the country are experiencing extreme staffing shortages since the 2020 outbreak of Covid, says US News. Long waiting times for patients, weekend closures, and burnout for current staff has been skyrocketing. The need for healthcare workers has never been greater.

The staffing shortage affects every aspect of healthcare, from pediatric hospitals to nursing homes, and making sure patients get the best care is the most important priority, says the CDC. In their “Strategies to Mitigate Staffing Shortages,” the CDC focuses on adjusting staff schedules, hiring additional HCP (health care professionals), and rotating positions. This includes canceling all non-essential visits and procedures and moving healthcare workers to the areas most needed. They also give guidance on postponing elective time off for healthcare workers but to respond to mental health issues and consider the different responsibilities of each worker.

 

Burnout

Burnout within the healthcare community runs high these days, and has been the past few years, because of the influx in patients from Covid and the shortage in staffing. Nurses, especially, are leaving because of the stress alone, says Healthcaredive. In a recent survey, more than a third of nurses polled said they were leaving their jobs by the end of the year, said the article. Healthcare systems have tried to entice new hires and current employees by raising compensative rates and have partnered with nursing schools to ensure future staff.

 

workers feel burned out
Burnout has negatively affecting healthcare workers

 

Technology

In a creative effort to off-put the staffing shortage, some healthcare systems have leaned on technology, says US News. They are planning ahead with analytics and data before procedures and having the patients monitor themselves at home. Using this sort of technological tactic helps nurses manage patient care and also manage more patients at the same time, says the article. Other facilities have used cloud-based technologies to better track workflows, stock levels, and product tracking. Streamlining these systems will help create a more efficient and precise healthcare network that serves both professionals and patients.

 

Healthcare facilities are better equipped now than at the beginning of the pandemic, however, the influx of patients is still daunting, says Politico. Staff members are being pulled from their regular stations to assist with Covid antibody infusions, a labor-intensive process that requires treating immunocompromised patients at separate locations with careful infection control. The patients get the help they need, but where were the staff pulled from, questions the article. It isn’t really a long term solution, but serves as a band-aid for the current crisis.

 

Healthcare Staffing Agency: Momentum Healthcare Staffing

 

Momentum is not your average medical staffing firm—we’re a progressive company with new ideas specializing in healthcare staffing. We understand the difficulties regarding the growing cost of healthcare and the increasing demands of clinicians. It’s our goal to be focused and detailed while understanding that every healthcare facility has its own unique needs. Please call our healthcare recruiting specialist to get connected to the perfect person for your open position!

 

nursing jobs
Momentum Healthcare Staffing matches hospitals to the best medical professionals

 

Our country is going through quite a bit of change, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Healthcare facilities, and healthcare workers are doing their best to keep our citizens healthy and out of harm’s way. There is a worry within the healthcare community that this will continue for years to come, however, our country has seen it before and we will see it again: Where there is a will, there is a way.

Related Posts

Healthcare Recruiting News

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories