Can you go to urgent care for a UTI. What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection. When should you see a doctor for UTI symptoms. How are urinary tract infections treated. What are the best ways to prevent UTIs.

Understanding Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections that affect millions of people worldwide. These infections can occur in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Women are particularly susceptible to UTIs, with around 40% experiencing at least one in their lifetime, compared to 12% of men.

Why are women more prone to UTIs? The primary reason is anatomical. The female urethra is shorter than the male urethra, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. This structural difference contributes to the higher incidence of UTIs in women, with over 20% experiencing a recurrence within four months of their initial infection.

The Potential Complications of Untreated UTIs

While some mild UTIs may resolve on their own, leaving a UTI untreated can lead to serious complications. These may include:

• Kidney infections
• Sepsis (a life-threatening systemic infection)
• Increased risk of bladder cancer
• Kidney disease

Given these potential risks, it’s crucial to recognize the symptoms of a UTI and seek appropriate medical care when necessary.

Recognizing UTI Symptoms: When to Be Concerned

UTI symptoms can vary in severity, and some people may not experience any noticeable signs. However, being aware of common symptoms can help you identify a potential infection early on.

Common UTI Symptoms to Watch For

• A burning sensation during urination
• Blood in the urine
• Cloudy urine
• Increased frequency of urination
• Abdominal or lower back pain
• Shivering or fever

Is it normal for UTI symptoms to worsen over time? Yes, if left untreated, UTI symptoms typically become more severe as the infection progresses. The bacteria can spread to other parts of the urinary tract, potentially leading to more serious conditions.

Seeking Medical Care: Can You Go to Urgent Care for a UTI?

Many people wonder whether they should visit an emergency room or urgent care center for UTI symptoms. In most cases, a UTI doesn’t require emergency room treatment. However, urgent care can be an excellent option for diagnosing and treating UTIs.

Can urgent care effectively diagnose and treat UTIs? Yes, urgent care centers are well-equipped to handle UTI cases. They can perform necessary tests, such as urine analysis, to confirm the diagnosis and prescribe appropriate antibiotics for treatment.

Virtual Urgent Care: A Convenient Option

With the advent of telemedicine, virtual urgent care has become an increasingly popular option for UTI treatment. This service allows patients to consult with healthcare providers remotely, often receiving a diagnosis and treatment plan without leaving their homes.

How effective is virtual urgent care for UTIs? For many uncomplicated UTI cases, virtual urgent care can be just as effective as in-person visits. Healthcare providers can assess symptoms, recommend appropriate tests, and prescribe antibiotics if necessary.

When to See a Doctor for UTI Symptoms

While not all UTIs require immediate medical attention, there are certain situations where it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider promptly.

Key Indicators That You Should See a Doctor

• Severe pain or discomfort
• Symptoms that worsen over time
• Persistent symptoms that don’t improve after a few days
• Recurrent UTI symptoms within a few months of previous treatment
• Blood in the urine
• Fever or chills

Why is it important to see a doctor even for mild UTI symptoms? Even if symptoms are mild, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider, especially if the infection doesn’t clear up within a few days. Early treatment can prevent complications and reduce the risk of recurrent infections.

UTI Treatment Options: From Antibiotics to Lifestyle Changes

Once diagnosed, UTIs are typically treated with antibiotics. The specific type, dosage, and duration of antibiotic treatment depend on the severity of the infection and the patient’s medical history.

Common UTI Treatments

1. Oral antibiotics (e.g., fluoroquinolones)
2. Intravenous antibiotics for severe cases
3. Pain relief medications
4. Increased fluid intake

How long does UTI treatment typically last? Most UTI treatments last for a few days to a week. However, for recurrent UTIs, healthcare providers may prescribe low-dose antibiotics for several months as a preventive measure.

Diagnostic Methods for UTIs

To ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, healthcare providers may use various diagnostic methods, including:

• Urine sample examination
• Urine culture analysis
• CT or MRI scans of the urinary tract
• Cystoscopy (in some cases)

Why is a urine culture important in UTI diagnosis? Growing urine bacteria in a lab helps identify the specific strain causing the infection, allowing healthcare providers to prescribe the most effective antibiotic treatment.

Preventing UTIs: Strategies for Reducing Your Risk

While not all UTIs can be prevented, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce your risk of developing these infections.

Effective UTI Prevention Methods

• Stay well-hydrated to flush bacteria from the urinary tract
• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
• Urinate after sexual intercourse
• Avoid using irritating feminine products
• Practice good hygiene, but avoid harsh soaps or douching

How does staying hydrated help prevent UTIs? Drinking plenty of water encourages frequent urination, which helps flush bacteria out of the urinary tract before they can multiply and cause an infection.

UTIs in Special Populations: Understanding Unique Risks

Certain groups of people may be at higher risk for developing UTIs or experiencing complications from these infections.

High-Risk Groups for UTIs

• Pregnant women
• Elderly individuals
• People with spinal cord injuries or conditions like spina bifida
• Individuals with compromised immune systems
• Those with urinary catheters

Why are people with spina bifida at higher risk for UTIs? Studies have shown that individuals with spina bifida have a higher rate of UTI-related hospitalizations, with approximately 22.8 inpatient admissions per 1000 persons. This increased risk is often due to neurological issues affecting bladder function and catheter use.

The Impact of Sex and Gender on UTI Risk

Research has shown that sex and gender play significant roles in UTI risk and response to infection. A 2017 study on sex differences in infectious diseases highlighted how biological factors influence susceptibility to UTIs.

Sex-Related Factors Affecting UTI Risk

• Anatomical differences (shorter urethra in females)
• Hormonal influences
• Differences in immune response
• Sexual activity patterns

How does sexual activity affect UTI risk? Sexual intercourse can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, particularly in women. This is why urinating after sex is often recommended as a preventive measure.

Understanding these sex-related factors can help healthcare providers tailor prevention and treatment strategies to individual patients, potentially reducing the incidence of UTIs and improving outcomes.

Healthcare-Associated UTIs: A Growing Concern

While many UTIs are community-acquired, a significant portion occurs in healthcare settings. These healthcare-associated UTIs (HAUTIs) present unique challenges and risks.

Key Facts About Healthcare-Associated UTIs

• HAUTIs account for 12.9% of UTI cases in the United States
• They are often associated with catheter use
• HAUTIs may involve antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• They can lead to longer hospital stays and increased healthcare costs

Why are healthcare-associated UTIs concerning? HAUTIs often involve more resistant bacteria due to the healthcare environment, making them potentially more difficult to treat. Additionally, patients in healthcare settings may have other health issues that complicate UTI treatment and recovery.

To address this issue, many healthcare facilities have implemented strict protocols for catheter care and management, as well as enhanced infection control measures. These efforts aim to reduce the incidence of HAUTIs and improve patient outcomes.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in UTI Management

As our understanding of UTIs continues to evolve, researchers are exploring new approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Promising Areas of UTI Research

• Development of new antibiotics to combat resistant strains
• Exploration of non-antibiotic treatments, such as probiotics
• Improved diagnostic tools for faster, more accurate detection
• Personalized medicine approaches based on individual risk factors
• Vaccine development for recurrent UTIs

How might future research change UTI management? Advances in these areas could lead to more effective treatments, reduced antibiotic use, and better prevention strategies. For example, a successful UTI vaccine could significantly reduce the incidence of recurrent infections, improving quality of life for many patients.

As research progresses, it’s crucial for healthcare providers and patients to stay informed about the latest developments in UTI management. This knowledge can help guide treatment decisions and improve overall urinary health.

The Role of Patient Education in UTI Prevention and Management

Effective management of UTIs extends beyond medical interventions. Patient education plays a crucial role in prevention, early detection, and successful treatment of these infections.

Key Areas of Patient Education for UTI Management

• Understanding risk factors and prevention strategies
• Recognizing early symptoms of UTIs
• Proper hygiene practices
• The importance of completing prescribed antibiotic courses
• When and how to seek medical attention

How can healthcare providers improve patient education about UTIs? Providers can use a variety of methods, including written materials, in-person counseling, and digital resources, to ensure patients have access to accurate, up-to-date information about UTI prevention and management.

Empowering patients with knowledge about UTIs can lead to better health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and improved quality of life. By understanding their risks and knowing how to prevent and manage UTIs, patients can take an active role in maintaining their urinary health.

The Economic Impact of UTIs: Healthcare Costs and Productivity Loss

Urinary tract infections not only affect individual health but also have significant economic implications. Understanding these costs can help highlight the importance of effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Economic Factors Associated with UTIs

• Direct healthcare costs (medical visits, treatments, hospitalizations)
• Indirect costs (lost productivity, missed workdays)
• Long-term costs associated with complications
• Expenses related to recurrent infections

What is the estimated annual cost of UTIs in the United States? While exact figures vary, studies suggest that the total economic burden of UTIs in the U.S. amounts to several billion dollars annually, considering both direct medical costs and indirect expenses.

By investing in prevention strategies, improving diagnostic accuracy, and developing more effective treatments, we can potentially reduce the economic burden of UTIs. This not only benefits individual patients but also contributes to more efficient use of healthcare resources and improved overall public health.

Navigating UTI Care: Making Informed Decisions

With various care options available, from virtual consultations to urgent care visits, it’s important for individuals to make informed decisions about seeking treatment for UTI symptoms.

Factors to Consider When Choosing UTI Care

• Severity of symptoms
• Personal medical history
• Availability of healthcare options
• Insurance coverage and cost considerations
• Preference for in-person vs. virtual care

How can patients determine the most appropriate care setting for their UTI symptoms? Patients should consider the severity of their symptoms, their overall health status, and the availability of different care options. For mild symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals, virtual care or urgent care may be appropriate. However, those with severe symptoms, underlying health conditions, or a history of complicated UTIs may need to seek care from a specialist or emergency department.

By understanding their options and considering their individual circumstances, patients can choose the most appropriate and effective care pathway for managing their UTI symptoms. This informed decision-making can lead to faster treatment, better outcomes, and more efficient use of healthcare resources.

Can You Go to Urgent Care For a UTI?

UTI

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are experienced by around 40% of all women and 12% of all men. For many, the symptoms are mild or even unnoticeable. When it causes significant discomfort, though, seeking urgent care for UTI issues will be high on your list of considerations. 

So, can you go to urgent care for a UTI, and what type of treatments can be used to restore your urinary health? Here’s all you need to know.

What is a UTI?

The term urinary tract infection is one that describes an infection to any part of the urinary tract. This covers the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. UTIs develop when bacteria enter the urinary tract, usually via the urethra. Scientific studies show that the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra, which is one of the chief reasons why women are at a greater risk than men. 

Furthermore, more than 20% of women who experience a UTI will encounter a recurrence within 4 months. UTIs can also develop into serious kidney conditions or cause sepsis.

UTI symptoms

Not everyone who has a UTI will notice the symptoms and it is possible that the body will fight the infection by itself. However, not all types of UTIs can be healed without medical intervention. As such, you should be receptive to common symptoms including; a burning sensation when you pee, blood in your urine, cloudy urine, increased frequency of urinating, stomach pains, shivering, or a high temperature. 

When left untreated, UTI symptoms will continue to worsen over time while the damage can spread to other parts of the urinary tract system. In most cases, it starts at the lower parts because this is where bacteria enters the urinary tract but will work its way up when left untreated.

Can you go to urgent care for a UTI?

While a UTI is unlikely to require a trip to the Emergency Room, you may be wondering if you can go to urgent care for a UTI. Urgent care or virtual urgent care can be used to confirm that symptoms are caused by a UTI and subsequently build a treatment plan to manage any pain and promote a full recovery.

UTIs can also cause hospitalizations across both genders and all age demographics. Meanwhile, studies into Hospitalization for urinary tract infections and the quality of preventive health care received by people with spina bifida showed 22.8 inpatient admissions with UTI per 1000 persons with the condition. In conclusion, urgent care for a UTI isn’t always necessary, it is an option.

When should you see a doctor for a UTI?

As mentioned, UTIs are often a recurring problem. If you have experienced new symptoms within a few months of treatment for a UTI, it’s best to see a doctor soon. For a suspected first UTI, you should seek medical help if the pain is severe or the symptoms worsen over time. Alternatively, if the issues persist for a few days without clearing up, a medical intervention is advised.

Even when the symptoms are mild, you should speak to a doctor when it’s convenient, especially if the UTI does not clear within a few days. Aside from treating the condition itself, studies show that untreated UTIs have a positive correlation with bladder cancer, kidney disease, and other conditions.

UTI treatments

UTIs are commonly treated with antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones. In more severe cases, an inpatient hospital stay with intravenous antibiotics may be needed. The type of antibiotics, dosage, and duration will all be dictated by the severity of the infection.in most cases, the treatment will last a few days. However, recurring UTIs may be treated with low doses for several months.

A diagnosis can be made via a urine sample examination, CT or MRI scans of the urinary tract, or using a cystoscope. Analyzing your urine culture by growing urine bacteria in a lab is another possible route that can identify the most effective treatment. Healthcare-associated UTIs (HAUTIs) account for 12.9% of US cases, whichever treatment path is selected, a quick response is the only solution.

UTI prevention

If you have had a confirmed urinary tract infection, you’ll want to avoid repeat experiences, especially as it has been shown that you are vulnerable to them. The most effective methods focus on keeping bacteria out of the urethra. Staying hydrated will force you to urinate more frequently, which flushes bacteria out before it has had the opportunity to multiply. Wiping back to front also prevents bacteria around the anus from making their way to the urinary tract.

While keeping your genitals clean is important, the urge to use perfumed products may actually irritate them. Meanwhile, a 2017 study into Sex differences shape the response to infectious has proved that sex is a variable that impacts the risk of UTIs. Washing before sex and urinating after it can push bacteria out of the body. Meanwhile, talking to a doctor about different birth control methods can help minimize the risk of infection.

How can DrHouse help you?

If you experience the symptoms of a UTI or fear that you have a recurring UTI, urgent care for UTI is the best solution. However, the inconvenience of visiting a busy urgent care center for an issue that only causes a mild level of discomfort probably won’t appeal. DrHouse can connect you to an online doctor to discuss your symptoms and any complications before pointing you towards the right next steps.

This can include getting prescriptions and repeat prescriptions for known recurring conditions. Alternatively, it could include arranging urine tests or other examinations to monitor UTIs and related health concerns.

Key Takeaways

UTIs are very common but that does not mean that their negative health impacts can be ignored. Visiting an Emergency Room will only be needed if you are vomiting and showing signs of sepsis. Nonetheless, urgent care for UTI issues is far more common. If your symptoms have worsened or you’re worried about the recurrence of your UTI, contact a doctor today.

Sources:

• Ingersoll MA (2017) Sex differences shape the response to infectious diseases. PLOS Pathogens 13(12): e1006688.Available from:  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1006688
• Medina M, Castillo-Pino E. An introduction to the epidemiology and burden of urinary tract infections. Ther Adv Urol. 2019 May 2;11:1756287219832172. Available from: 10.1177/1756287219832172
• Jack L. Radomski, David Greenwald, William Lee Hearn, Norman L. Block, Nitrosamine Formation in Bladder Infections and its Role in the Etiology of Bladder Cancer, The Journal of Urology, Volume 120, Issue 1, 1978, Pages 48-50, ISSN 0022-5347, Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(17)57035-4 .
• Brian S. Armour, Lijing Ouyang, Judy Thibadeau, Scott D. Grosse, Vincent A. Campbell, David Joseph, Hospitalization for urinary tract infections and the quality of preventive health care received by people with spina bifida, Disability and Health Journal, Volume 2, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 145-152, ISSN 1936-6574, Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2009.02.001 
• Prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in womenDrug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2013;51:69-74. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/dtb.2013.6.0187

DrHouse articles are written by MDs, NPs, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals. The contents of the DrHouse site are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing high fever (>103F/39.4C), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations, abnormal bruising, abnormal bleeding, extreme fatigue, dizziness, new weakness or paralysis, difficulty with speech, confusion, extreme pain in any body part, or inability to remain hydrated or keep down fluids or feel you may have any other life-threatening condition, please go to the emergency department or call 911 immediately.

When to Go to the Hospital for a Kidney Infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a very common type of infection, particularly in females. In fact, estimates suggest that between 50 and 60 percent of females will experience a UTI at some point in their lifetime.

Most UTIs affect the urethra or the bladder. However, if the infection spreads to the kidneys, it can become much more serious. In some cases, a kidney infection will require treatment in a hospital.

In this article, we’ll discuss kidney infections in more detail, including the symptoms to look for and when to seek medical care.

Kidney infections are a type of UTI. The medical term for a kidney infection is pyelonephritis. Certain bacteria and viruses can cause these infections.

Experts believe that many kidney infections start as an infection of the lower parts of the urinary tract, such as the bladder or urethra. Many times, these infections happen when bacteria from your bowel enter your urinary tract through your urethra.

It’s possible for a UTI to continue to move up your urinary tract, progressing from your bladder into your kidneys.

Generally speaking, the symptoms of a kidney infection tend to come on over a period of several hours to a day. The symptoms may include:

• Pain. This is often a dull, aching type of pain that most commonly affects the back, side, or abdomen.
• Urine changes. If you have a kidney infection, you may notice that your urine is cloudy, smells bad, or contains blood.
• Urgent, painful urination. A UTI can irritate the lining of your urinary tract. As a result, you may feel the urgent need to urinate and experience a painful, burning sensation when you do so.
• Fever. People with a kidney infection typically develop a fever, which can often be high. A raised temperature is one of your body’s ways of trying to fight the infection.
• Chills. Chills are a feeling of being cold without any apparent cause. For example, you could be wrapped up under a blanket and still shiver or feel very cold. In extreme cases, chills may lead to episodes of strong, uncontrollable shaking, which are known as rigors.
• Nausea or vomiting. The infection may cause you to feel nauseated or to vomit.

It’s important to note that you may not have all of the above symptoms with a kidney infection. If you develop concerning symptoms that may point to a kidney infection, seek prompt medical care.

Kidney infections are serious and require timely care so that they don’t cause complications. According to a 2019 study, estimates suggest that that kidney infections lead to 250,000 office visits and 200,000 hospital admissions in the United States each year.

Deciding where you should go for medical treatment can be confusing, especially when you’re in severe pain. Below, we explain how to know when to see a doctor and when to go to the hospital.

When to make an office appointment

If you have some of the general signs of a UTI, you can schedule a doctor’s appointment to get an evaluation. These symptoms include:

• urgent, painful urination
• cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody urine
• abdominal pain
• pelvic or bladder pressure

When to seek urgent care or go to the hospital

Some symptoms point to a more severe infection that needs prompt medical attention.

Go to an urgent care center or hospital if you have any of the symptoms below, which may or may not occur alongside the other UTI symptoms listed above:

• back or side pain
• fever
• chills
• nausea or vomiting

Kidney infections can cause potentially serious complications. If you feel like something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to seek care as soon as possible.

Without treatment, a kidney infection can cause serious complications. These can include:

Kidney damage

One of the main complications of an untreated kidney infection is kidney damage or scarring. When this happens, your kidneys may not function as well, and you may develop chronic kidney disease.

High blood pressure

Your kidneys work to filter waste products from your blood. If a kidney infection damages the blood vessels supplying the kidneys, this can potentially lead to high blood pressure.

Kidney failure

Serious damage from a kidney infection can cause the kidneys to fail. When this happens, your kidneys are no longer able to filter waste products from your blood.

Kidney abscess

In rare cases, you might develop a kidney abscess, which is a pocket of pus that forms in the tissue of your kidneys.

Sepsis

If the infection moves from your kidneys into your bloodstream, sepsis can occur.

Signs and symptoms of this life-threatening condition include:

• low blood pressure
• high fever
• increased heart rate
• high respiratory rate
• laboratory abnormalities

Aggressive treatment is necessary to prevent sepsis from leading to multisystem organ failure and death.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a potentially life threatening condition that happens when the gas that bacteria produce builds up in the kidneys. This rapidly destroys kidney tissue.

EPN tends to be more common in people who have diabetes.

Your symptoms could also result from another common illness. Some similar conditions you may mistake for a kidney infection include:

• Other UTIs. Other types of UTIs, such as those affecting the urethra and bladder, can also cause symptoms like urgent and painful urination, abdominal pain, and urine that’s cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody.
• Kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard deposits of materials like calcium or uric acid that form in the kidneys. When they become lodged in the kidneys, they can cause pain in the abdomen, side, or back, as well as nausea and vomiting.
• Lower back pain. If low back pain is your primary symptom, you may have a condition that’s affecting your lower back. Examples include injuries, degenerative disc disease, and nerve compression.
• Pregnancy. Symptoms like frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal cramping can all be early signs of pregnancy.

It’s always a good rule of thumb to seek medical attention if you experience any new or concerning symptoms. A healthcare professional can work with you to determine what may be causing them.

Here’s an idea of what you can expect when you seek care for a possible kidney infection.

Tests

A healthcare professional will test your urine to look for signs of an infection. These tests include:

Urinalysis

For this test, a healthcare professional will ask you to urinate into a small container. The sample will go to a lab, where technicians will test for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells, and blood.

Urine culture

If the sample reveals bacteria in your urine, the doctor may choose to culture some of them. Doing this can help them see what type of bacteria is causing the infection, which can guide your treatment.

The turnaround time for a urine culture is typically 24 to 72 hours.

The doctor may also recommend that you undergo imaging to evaluate your kidneys. In this case, they will order an ultrasound or CT scan to help them make a diagnosis.

Treatment

Sometimes, treatment for a kidney infection can happen on an outpatient basis, meaning that you return home afterward.

Treatment for a kidney infection can include:

• Antibiotics. Antibiotics are medications that can kill bacteria or slow their growth. It’s important to take your entire course of antibiotics, even if you begin to feel better before completing it.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications. OTC medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) can help reduce symptoms like pain and fever.
• Fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids can keep you hydrated and help flush bacteria out of your urinary tract. Aim to drink enough liquid to keep your urine pale yellow.
• Rest. Resting up as you recover can help your body fight off the infection.

A severe kidney infection will likely need treatment in the hospital. In this case, you’ll typically receive antibiotics and fluid through an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion.

After you’ve recovered from a kidney infection, your doctor may request a follow-up urine culture to make sure your infection has completely cleared.

If the infection is still present, you may need another course of antibiotics to recover fully. However, a 2013 research review notes that experts only recommend this “test of cure” for recurrent or complicated infections.

With timely antibiotic treatment with antibiotics, the outlook for people with a kidney infection is good.

However, certain factors increase the risk of serious illness or complications. People at higher risk include:

• older adults
• people with existing kidney disease or urinary tract conditions
• individuals with diabetes
• pregnant people
• those with a weakened immune system

Kidney infections can happen when bacteria enter your urinary tract and travel to your kidneys. This condition is serious and requires prompt medical attention.

If you develop symptoms of a kidney infection, go to an urgent care center or a hospital as soon as you can. While many kidney infections are very treatable with antibiotics, serious complications can happen if there’s a delay in treatment.

Where to run when it hurts? Emergency room, emergency room and emergency room

Emergency. Urgent. Planned.

Today, there are three forms of assistance: emergency, urgent and planned. They are defined by the Federal Law “On the Fundamentals of Protecting the Health of Citizens in the Russian Federation”.

Planned medical care is provided during preventive measures, in case of chronic diseases and conditions that do not pose a threat to the patient’s life. It does not require emergency intervention, the delay of which for a certain time will not entail a deterioration in the patient’s condition.

Emergency is in case of sudden acute diseases, conditions, exacerbation of chronic diseases that pose a threat to the patient’s life.

Urgent – also in case of sudden acute diseases, conditions, exacerbation of chronic diseases, but without obvious signs of a threat to the patient’s life.

In short: it hurts for a long time and habitually – planned, it hurts sharply, but not scary – urgent, sharply and scary – emergency.

As you can see, the difference between urgent and emergency is that in both cases there is a threat to health, but only in one – to life. How to identify this threat? Only specialists will help you here.

Emergency room – why and where is it?

According to the same Federal Law “On the Fundamentals of Protecting the Health of Citizens in the Russian Federation”: in order to provide citizens with primary health care in case of sudden acute diseases, conditions, exacerbation of chronic diseases that are not accompanied by a threat to the patient’s life and do not require emergency medical care, in In the structure of medical organizations, medical care units can be created to provide the indicated assistance in an emergency form.

And now human language. Emergency rooms have been opened in every polyclinic in Sevastopol since 2018. They work most often during the opening hours of the clinic, in rare cases – from 8 to 16. People in any acute conditions should go there: the temperature or pressure has risen, any pain has appeared, whether in the lower back or a headache, any condition that considered an emergency, but does not require an ambulance.

“The rooms are equipped with emergency kits, a cardiograph and, most importantly, staff. On average, 30-40 people apply per day, depending on the polyclinic and on the season when the ARVI season rises, of course, more comes, ”comments Elena Shamray, Deputy Chief Physician for Polyclinic Work at the N.I. Pirogov City Hospital No. 1 .

It is the doctors and paramedics of the emergency room who can provide you with medical care and identify the very threat to life. If, in the opinion of a specialist, you need urgent hospitalization, an ambulance will be called to the office.

Briefly: the emergency room is an intermediary between the therapist and the ambulance. If you feel bad, but not so much as to call a team of paramedics, contact the clinic.

Fell, woke up, cast. Subtleties of the trauma center.

Sevastopol residents have built a connection on a subconscious level – if you break a limb – go to the emergency room. And in this the townspeople are right. The round-the-clock trauma center of the city hospital No. 1 provides emergency qualified assistance to all patients with wounds and damage to the musculoskeletal system. That is, with cuts, bruises, fractures. An important clarification is that more than 24 hours should not elapse from the moment of injury.

What to do if you hit on Sunday, it hurts on Wednesday, and the time to get to the doctor appeared only on Friday? We act according to the scheme: a slight malaise – to the local therapist, acute but tolerable pain – an emergency room, acute and intolerable – an ambulance and emergency room.

Admitting department – the entrance gate of the hospital.

That is exactly what the head doctor of the City Hospital No. N. I. Pirogov “Vladimir Kuznetsov. More than 200 patients pass through the admission department per day, about 120 are hospitalized. Patients are admitted both in an ambulance, on their own, and in a planned manner, if there are indications.

Conventionally, there are two emergency departments in the main hospital of the city. The main thing is that it provides round-the-clock reception of patients of therapeutic, surgical, neurological and other profiles. The regional vascular center has a separate emergency room. Patients with strokes, heart attacks and other pathologies of the brain and heart come here.

What happens on the way from the ambulance to the bed in the ward, and why do you have to wait so long?

Upon admission, the first thing at the post is the registration of the patient – finding out his identity, passport data, insurance number. Then the reception is carried out by a doctor: a therapist, a surgeon, a gynecologist, a urologist, a neuropathologist, a neurosurgeon, etc. To make a diagnosis, examinations are carried out: a general clinical blood test, urinalysis, radiography, fluoroscopy, ECG, ultrasound. As part of the modernization in 2018, a major overhaul of both the reception and diagnostic floors was carried out, the offices are equipped with modern technology. Comfortable conditions have been created in the waiting room, an area for bedridden patients has been allocated, and an anti-shock ward has been equipped for the most difficult cases.

But the residents of Sevastop know that sometimes in the admissions department it takes several hours from the moment of admission to a decision. What is the problem?

As it was said, patients with varying degrees of severity of diseases of various profiles turn to the emergency department. At one point, a person seriously injured in a car accident, a student with suspected appendicitis, and a pensioner with high blood pressure can enter the hospital. Chief Physician Vladimir Kuznetsov notes: “Often, patients who come to us with an exacerbation of chronic diseases, when they could go to the clinic, they really have to wait until the doctor is free and pays attention to them. They don’t refuse anyone, they still carry out consultations, the necessary examinations and send them either to the city’s hospitals or to the clinic.”

Of the 200-250 who applied to the emergency departments, only half are hospitalized. The rest is provided with medical care, which could be obtained in the district clinic – from a general practitioner or in an emergency room.

“The average patient stay is up to two hours if it is a compensated patient with stable hemodynamics without life-threatening situations,” explains Vladimir Kuznetsov. You understand that this is a category that is urgent. Patients with polytrauma undergo computed tomography, then they enter either the operating room or the intensive care unit.”

The delay in the consultation may be in the absence of a queue. Doctors who see patients are often active surgeons and are on elective or emergency surgery.

In the future, the opening of an emergency hospital, which will become an important link in the city’s healthcare system, will make it possible to distinguish between the flows of emergency and planned patients. However, today it is necessary to live in given conditions. It is necessary to be sensitive to your health, undergo preventive examinations, and not bring the disease to chronic forms. And in the event of an unexpected deterioration in well-being, it is sober to assess whether going to the emergency room will be enough or whether it is worth calling an ambulance.

Will they not help without CHI? And if I come by taxi, will they kick me out?

The law already familiar to us reads “Emergency medical care is provided by a medical organization and a medical worker to a citizen immediately and free of charge.” Sevastopol residents have an erroneous opinion that they will not be admitted to the hospital without a passport and insurance. And it does not matter at all how you got to the door of the emergency department: by ambulance, taxi or even on horseback.

“If this is a life situation, help is provided in 100% of cases. We are providing assistance not from the presence of documents, but from the disease. ” – says Andrey Kositchenkov, Deputy Chief Physician for Surgery.

Indeed, in an ideal situation, you need to have a passport, SNILS and OMS with you, and even copies of them. But we all understand that medical care may be needed unexpectedly – on a walk in the mountains, on the way home from work, and even at night. Documents may not be with you, or simply forgotten in a panic at home. Yes

Andrei Kositchenkov shares his experience: “A fairly large number of patients enter the first city hospital without documents, everything happens in life, we understand everything. But we need data to identify the patient. Even just a policy photographed on the phone, or its number written out on a piece of paper will give information about the patient.

In the admission department there is EMIAS – a single medical information and analytical system, in which all residents of Sevastopol are listed. If the hospital staff knows the policy number, finding out the rest of the patient’s data is not difficult. The necessary documents and their copies for the formation of a medical history can be submitted during treatment or on the day of discharge.

Guests of the city will also not be denied assistance, because the effect of compulsory medical insurance covers the entire territory of the Russian Federation. It is worth remembering this for Sevastopol residents traveling to other regions on vacation or on a business trip.

In short: it is advisable to always have a passport, medical policy and SNILS or copies of them with you, in case of an unforeseen deterioration in health. The required minimum is the number of the insurance certificate, it can be photographed on the phone or written out on a piece of paper and stored in a wallet.

However, this does not mean at all that you need to think about illnesses all the time, be ready for hospitalization at any moment. Instead, it is better to regularly take care of maintaining and maintaining your health, undergo preventive examinations and medical examinations.

01.10.2019

▷ EMERGENCY | MyDoc Urgent Care

phone # (347) 542-5050

hours:
Mon-Fri 9am – 9pm
Sat-Sun 10am – 6pm

mydoc [email protected]

WHAT IS A URGENT CARE CENTER?

Small things like a scraped knee can be treated at home. Life-threatening conditions such as chest pain require going to the emergency room. For everything in between, there is an emergency.

Emergency Care offers patients of all ages the treatment of injuries and illnesses such as the flu, asthma attacks, broken bones, cuts requiring sutures and more, giving you a one-stop solution for emergency and urgent care.
At myDoc Emergency Care, we go one step further by combining caring with compassion and attention to your time. With a full medical staff and no appointment required, you can rest easy knowing that you will always receive quality medical care when you need it.

How does Emergency Care compare to the cost of emergency care?

The average cost difference between ER and ER is approximately $373. If those 85 million patients who made unnecessary emergency room visits had chosen to visit emergency centers, patients, insurance companies, and the system could save more than $30-40 billion.

SectionWhat about insurance?

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR INSURANCE UPDATES.

What can emergency centers treat?

They can usually treat everyday injuries and illnesses. Health Pro can treat everything from colds, flu and cuts to fractures, sprains and some dislocations. We provide vaccinations, medical examinations, ECG and x-rays. We perform minor surgical procedures, such as suturing. We also administer intravenous fluids and perform laboratory work.

What is the role of emergency care in the modern healthcare system?

Emergency care fills a gap in the health care system created by two fundamental problems: increased waiting times for primary care physicians and the cost and waiting time of emergency room visits. According to a study by the National Hospital Emergency Department in 2006, over 85 million emergency room visits (or 71%) were not needed. The patient required “emergency care” but not “emergency care” and could be treated at an emergency center. The impact of emergency care is manifested in three critical areas: time, cost and quality.

What is emergency care and how does it work?

Urgent care centers are designed to provide quick care to those who need attention but do not require an emergency room visit. Urgent care centers do not require an appointment and usually work longer hours than doctor’s offices. For example, the myDoc emergency service operates 7 days a week, 12 hours a day.

Who do we treat?

Anyone. Urgent care is a solution for individuals of all ages. Children with cough. Teenagers in need of athletic physical, adults with a broken bone. Some have lived in the city for years but cannot enter to see their primary care doctor; Some have just moved to the city and have yet to establish a primary care physician; Some visit from the city; Everyone is looking for high quality, compassionate care from someone they can trust. And with a full medical team, that’s exactly what they get on MyDoc Emergency Care.

• Men’s Health • Allergies • Automotive Injuries • STD Testing • Emergency Care • Women’s Health • Same Day Doctor • Medical Emergency •

MyDoc Emergency Center in Brooklyn, Bronx, Forest Hills and East -Meadow, NY, Internist and Emergency Physician Dr. Nabil Salib and his team provide comprehensive immediate medical care to patients of all ages. When you arrive at one of MyDoc’s state-of-the-art emergency care facilities, you will be greeted by a highly trained, professional and caring staff ready to answer all your emergency medical questions.

Whether you need stitches, antibiotics for infection, asthma or allergies, testing and treatment, DOT or sports physicals or annual wellness checkups, MyDoc Urgent Care is the one-stop shop for any medical emergency. X-rays, intravenous fluids, blood tests, drug tests, and ECGs are available onsite for added convenience.

Patients can make an appointment or go directly to MyDoc Emergency Services if they have immediate, non-life-threatening medical needs. This way you will save time by not waiting in long lines, and you will also save on visiting the emergency room. There is no waiting time in MyDoc Urgent Care.

MyDoc Urgent Care providers take care of most coverage and facilities are open 7 days a week without appointment. Visits are always welcome, or patients can use the online scheduling tool and make payments online. MyDoc Urgent Care staff assists patients with reimbursement and provides very affordable cash assistance to patients.

Experienced certified physicians, surgeons, registered nurses and certified MyDoc Urgent Care staff treat patients like family in a clean and welcoming environment, just like Brooklyn deserves.

• “The doctors, nurses and staff are very attentive, especially Dr. Salib, who provided excellent professional and courteous care to his patient.”
• “Dr. Salib and his staff took really good care of me. If you are looking for a good emergency service nearby, you should contact the MyDoc emergency service.