Healthcare is a prime aspect of our lives that can’t be neglected, and the quality of care reflects this. Different levels of medical institutions offer medical services with unique purposes. Choosing suitable medical care can be confusing, especially when considering time, cost, insurance, and urgency.

In Tampa, Florida, medical institutions provide a wide range of healthcare services in different ways to a targeted audience. Do you know where to go to suit your specific medical needs?

Urgent and primary care are the most prevalent healthcare models for most people. This article comprehensively explains these models to help you choose the best care for you and your loved ones.

What Is Urgent Care?

Urgent care is a health model that provides immediate medical services for non-life-threatening, time-essential conditions. It is also called immediate care and serves as a bridge between primary care and emergency care. Urgent care treats cases outside of the primary care center’s business hours and cases that need to be more severe for the emergency room. It is less equipped than an emergency room and cannot take severe emergencies.

Urgent care cases are not considered medical emergencies but require immediate care within 24 hours. The urgent care center has qualified healthcare professionals who can provide quality medical service without the hassle and additional cost of an emergency room.

Urgent care is less expensive than emergency care. The centers have extended hours and are easily accessible, making them the central place to go on weekends and evenings. They also offer diagnostic services like X-ray imaging, lab procedures, and minor orthopedic procedures.

When Do I Go To An Urgent Care Center?

An urgent care center is not an emergency room. It handles conditions that require immediate treatment but don’t qualify as severe emergencies. The urgent care center is also not a substitute for your primary care center, especially if you have chronic conditions that require a specialist. An urgent care center is an excellent option for injuries and illnesses, especially if you are traveling or cannot wait for a primary care appointment.

Conditions Urgent Care Centers Treat

• Injuries from minor accidents, falls, strains, and sprains.
• Moderate back problems
• Respiratory conditions like mild to moderate asthma
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration
• Minor broken bones and cuts
• Skin rashes and infections
• Allergic reactions
• Fevers
• Diagnostic services like X-rays and laboratory tests

Although urgent care centers don’t usually keep extensive medical records, you can bring all necessary medical documentation to a walk-in clinic.  TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track ensures you receive comprehensive, convenient, and high-quality medical care tailored to your needs. For life-threatening conditions and severe emergencies like stroke, heart attack, loss of consciousness, seizures, or severe head injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

What Is Primary Care?

Primary care providers are Primary Care Physicians/Practitioners (PCP), General Practitioners (GP), or Family Doctors. Primary Care Physicians prevent diseases, diagnose early, treat, and follow up chronic and recurrent health ailments. They are aware of your medical history, conditions, and medications and are therefore responsible for the ongoing overall health of the patients. Most importantly, they refer to specialists when indicated.

Primary care centers usually operate during official business hours and provide low costs for regular examinations and checkups. You’re less likely to change your primary care physician unless you relocate or switch to a different insurance plan.

When Do You Go to Primary Care Centers?

• For regular medical checkups, routine health evaluation helps prevent and early diagnose severe health conditions. Usually, chronic diseases do not start suddenly, and you might not even feel sick or have identifiable symptoms. Book an appointment with your primary care physician for routine checkups and examinations. For a quick physical for work or a sports physical for school, urgent care will be a quick low cost option.
• Non-emergency medical issues: primary care addresses a wide range of medical conditions. From high blood pressure to reproductive health, stress and sleep management, and nutrition, the primary care physician is your first call. With the comprehensive knowledge of your medical history, they are in the best position to provide suitable care for your condition.
• Management of chronic conditions: primary care is suitable for people with chronic medical conditions to ensure follow-up on their conditions, general body examinations, investigations to monitor the progression of the disease, and drug refills and reviews.

To maintain consistent medical care for chronic condition it is best to have a primary care physician. For emergency care, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room and for urgent care for common illnesses and injuries visit your nearest urgent care center.

Choose The Right Care In Tampa

Suppose you’re staying in the Tampa Bay area and need immediate medical attention for a non-emergency case; you can contact TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track.

TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track has over 19 convenient locations across Tampa Bay. We have highly trained healthcare professionals committed to providing the best medical care you need. Some of our services include treating sore throat and flu symptoms and managing minor injuries like fractures and sprains. In addition, we offer drug screening and physical diagnostics testing for employers. TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track also provides diagnostic services, including X-ray imaging, lab procedures, and pre-surgical assessment.

You can visit any of our walk-in clinics on any day or make an “On My Way Reservation” online.