According to Cigna, the average emergency room wait is about 4.5 hours, and the average cost – around $2,259 without insurance. That’s a steep price to pay and a colossal time commitment for most. According to AAOS Now, a publication by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, today’s patients are demanding faster and more accessible treatment for Orthopedic care.
It makes sense that utilizing urgent care for more specialized infirmities would one day become the mainstream. When most people experience the slightest symptom of a cold, their first instinct is usually to run to their local urgent care provider. Here, they can receive swift treatment at a fraction of the cost of a regular physician’s office. However, more severe ailments deserve the attention of a specialist; this is where Orthopedic urgent care comes in.
Melding the trusted orthopedic care you expect, with the convenience you need, Watauga Orthopaedics refers to their urgent care center as a “clinic within a clinic”. With a focus on strains and fractures and 67 years of experience, their orthopedic specialists provide expert treatment with minimal wait times (something of great importance when you or your loved one is experiencing pain).
Many Americans have experienced this scenario: you rush to the Emergency Room, only to find the waiting room filled with people whose ailments are far worse than yours. Since more severe problems are always addressed first, you might be in for a long and unpleasant wait. In a recent poll of almost 2,100 ER doctors conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians, 28% recorded that volumes of people in the ER had “greatly increased”.
It also takes time – sometimes weeks or even months – to get an appointment with a reputable doctor who is affiliated with your insurance carrier. Anyone who has suffered from a sprain or fracture knows this wait time just isn’t feasible. Urgent care, on the other hand, has a much shorter wait compared to both the ER and traditional appointments; the Urgent CareÒ Association of America states that at most centers (90%), the wait time is 30 minutes or less.
However, it isn’t just time that is of the essence; patients also want to do their due diligence. When you’re dealing with the discomfort of a trauma or broken bone, it’s important to be sure the person working on you is a highly-seasoned professional. Many simply wonder: can you trust urgent care as an alternative to traditional doctor visits?
The dedicated specialists at Watauga Orthopaedics handle the treatment of a broad spectrum of ailments. They excel at catering to each patient’s unique concerns, and possess the patience and skills needed to heal pediatric orthopedic injuries. If you have a simple fracture, their doctors may suggest splinting or casting; however, more complex fractures may require surgery. Whether you’re seeking assistance with sports medicine or general orthopaedics, you can be confident knowing there is someone on their roster who will efficiently address your problem.
According to the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine, only 29% of doctors provide after-hours coverage. Unfortunately, it’s usually during those odd hours that your child falls, or you hurt your ankle in the kitchen while whipping up dinner. The exceptional convenience, extended hours, and walk-in accessibility of orthopedic urgent care locations (like Watauga’s) are a good indicator that going to the ER for fractures and trauma will one day be a distant memory.
So, what are you waiting for? If you’re experiencing pain from a fracture or trauma, visit Watauga Orthopaedics today. If you require additional care after visiting their urgent care center, their experts will refer you to their full-service facility. To learn more, call (423) 282-9011.
