When you’re not feeling well, or your child is sick, you want immediate medical attention that you can afford. That’s where urgent care comes in—it’s even in the name! Generally faster than an emergency room, and more advanced than a standard walk-in clinic, urgent care centers provide medical services for serious but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. However, we know it can be confusing when you’re sick and trying to figure out where to go or who to call. That’s why the professionals at Fast Track Urgent Care are taking the time to explain how urgent care works so the next time you’re in need of medical care, you’ll know what to do.
Walk In
Most urgent care centers, including Fast Track, don’t require you to schedule appointments. All you have to do is show up at one of our walk-in clinics, which are open seven days a week! One of the major draws for urgent care is that you can be seen by board-certified doctors and nurses when you aren’t able to schedule an appointment with your normal doctor’s office. For professional medical care at an urgent care center in Maryland, you need to bring:
- Identification. We accept driver’s licenses, passports, military IDs, employment badges, or student identification cards.
- Insurance. We accept many forms of health insurance, but be sure to check our provider list ahead of time.
- Payment. You must pay at the time of service at an urgent care center.
- Contact information. It’s helpful to also bring information about health care providers you frequent, as well as emergency contact information for you or your children.
Some additional paperwork is usually required upon arrival, like a list of medications you’re currently using, any past surgeries, existing medical conditions or allergies, and any other information about your symptoms that could be beneficial for the doctor or nurse to be aware of.
Get Treated
Urgent care centers can treat numerous illnesses and injuries, including bruises, cuts, and scrapes, fevers, coughing, and sore throats. However, most centers will also have X-ray equipment that can handle even more serious ailments, like broken bones or burns. While you can utilize this facility for a regular checkup, you can also receive medical attention for the following:
- Allergies
- Animal bites
- Back pain
- Broken bones
- Bronchitis or pneumonia
- Bumps, cuts, and bruises
- Ear infections
- Eye swelling or pain
- Mild asthma
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Sprains or strains
- Stitches
The certified doctors and nurses at an urgent care center can also provide:
- Blood tests, including CBC (complete blood count)
- Camp physicals
- DOT Physicals
- Flu shots
- PPD (tuberculosis skin test)
- Pregnancy tests
- Rapid strep test
- School physicals
- Sports physicals
- STD testing
- Stitches
- Treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Urinalysis
- X-rays
Walk Out
With your filled prescription in hand, you can walk out of urgent care and head straight home to start feeling better! For maximum convenience, we have two locations for walk-in clinics in Maryland! That way, you can choose the location closest to your home or office, get the medical help you need, and get back to your life without too much time wasted in between! Emergency rooms can be very busy, meaning your wait time is unpredictable and generally very long. Urgent care centers help to offset the number of patients in the ER by providing fast, efficient, and affordable medical care!
Choose Fast Track for Urgent Care in Maryland
When you’re not feeling well, trust the professionals at Fast Track to diagnose and treat your illness or injury with expertise and patience. We serve the Kensington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring areas of Maryland, plus Washington, DC! If you need reliable medical services in Montgomery County, MD, count on our board-certified doctors and nurses to treat your needs so you can start feeling better soon!
Give us a call at 800-417-1164 or contact us online today for more information about how urgent care works!
