Most communities have many options for health care, including walk-in clinics and urgent care centers. While having so many alternatives can be beneficial, it can also make it hard to know which one is most appropriate for your needs. Read the guide below to learn the differences between these different facilities.

Distinctions Between Walk-In Clinics & Urgent Care

Walk-in Clinic

A walk-in clinic offers high-quality medical care for common, non-emergency situations such as colds, flu, allergies, and minor strains and sprains. They may offer vaccinations, physicals, and basic women’s wellness and pediatric care. Most walk-in clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants. They usually have extended weekday hours, and are open on weekends, which is helpful to those whose schedules do not align with the available appointments at their primary care doctor’s office. Most clinics are affordable but may not take insurance, instead requiring payment at the time of service.

Urgent Care Center

These facilities treat serious but not life-threatening conditions such as broken bones, minor burns, high fever, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, shortness of breath, or smaller wounds that require stitches. They usually have x-ray equipment and one or more doctors on staff as well as nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants. Urgent care is similar to a walk-in clinic in that they offer same day appointments or treatment when your regular doctor is not available.

Severe injuries or conditions including severe bleeding, heart attack or stroke symptoms, loss of consciousness, and head trauma are all examples of emergency care that require an ambulance and hospital treatment.

Access Health Clinic, located in Spring, TX, is a walk-in clinic offering affordable, same day medical care for non-urgent conditions. They are focused on wellness, prevention, and education for the entire family and provide immunizations, school and sports physicals, lab testing, women’s health, routine EKGs and more. Call 281-251-8700 for questions about their services. You can also visit their website to learn more about the staff and the types of care available.