Today, it’s hard to know where you should or can go for medical help. Through the coronavirus pandemic, life continues. With the increase in dog walks, there’s sure to be an increase in twisted ankles, pulled muscles, and happy pups!
But in the event of an injury like a sprain, dislocation or a broken bone, you still need care! So, what do you do? Do you visit your local emergency room (ER)? Or head to the nearest urgent care center?
Today, more than ever, that’s a great question. There are several urgent cares in our area, but most people don’t know what makes them different from emergency rooms.
Urgent care is a term typically used for a facility that provides a more affordable option for basic medical care than an emergency room. Urgent care centers are perfect for most non-emergency situations.
At OSMC, our walk-in urgent care clinic is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. We are also offering same day appointments at all of our locations.
An urgent care center is ideal if your injury isn’t an emergency, such as any of the following:
- Broken/Fractured Bones
- Strains and sprains
- Ligament and Tendon Injuries
- Back pain
- Dislocations
- Sports injuries
- Swollen or painful joints
But wouldn’t an emergency room will treat these problems, too? Why go to urgent care? Cost and convenience are why. Plus, emergency rooms are better suited for actual emergencies. If you have a life-threatening injury or experience severe bleeding, go straight to your nearest ER.
Whether you schedule a same-day appointment at one of our offices or make a visit to our walk-in clinic every patient at OSMC will see a board-certified physician whose expertise is orthopedic injuries. You don’t need a referral, which means patients can receive specialized care quickly, which could potentially lead to quicker recovery times as well.
If you experience a non-emergency injury, call 574-264-0791 to schedule a same-day appointment with a doctor at an OSMC office today — no referral needed! Or visit our walk-in clinic located inside the Elkhart Health and Aquatic Center from 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
