When you’re feeling unwell or facing a sudden health issue, choosing the right place to get care helps you get the appropriate treatment quickly, without unnecessary expenses. Primary care doctors focus on routine and non-urgent care, while emergency departments handle life or limb-threatening situations. If your health concern falls somewhere in between, urgent care offers a fast, accessible option to get the treatment you need. Read on to learn when you should visit urgent care, how urgent care can help you feel better, and what to expect when you choose PACT.
When Should You Visit Urgent Care?
Urgent care clinics are a convenient option when you need prompt treatment for a medical issue that isn’t severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. Still, you can’t wait for an appointment with your regular doctor.
You Have a Medical Issue That’s Urgent But Not Life-Threatening
Urgent care clinics can handle a wide variety of medical conditions that require same-day treatment but don’t pose a serious risk to your health. With experienced providers and on-site diagnostic services, urgent care centers like PACT are equipped to treat common, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries such as:
- Cold or flu symptoms
- Earaches
- Sore throats
- Migraines
- Low-grade fevers
- Limited rashes
- Sprains
- Minor cuts or burns
- Minor broken bones (such as fingers or toes)
- Minor eye injuries
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Sinus infections
- Pink eye
- Allergic reactions
- Insect bites
Your Regular Doctor Isn’t Available
Doctor’s offices are typically open during standard business hours. While your primary care provider is the best resource for routine care and managing chronic health issues, they may not be available when unexpected health problems come up. Whether you need care in the evening or on the weekend, or when your regular doctor can’t see you on short notice, urgent care is here to help.
When to Go to the Emergency Room Instead
Urgent care centers are ideal for many conditions that require immediate assistance, but they’re not equipped to handle true emergencies. Hospital emergency departments have advanced medical equipment, specialized staff, and the ability to admit patients for surgery or intensive care. Seek emergency medical attention if you or someone with you is experiencing a serious issue, such as:
- Deep wounds or heavy bleeding
- Seizures
- Serious burns
- Electric shock
- Neck or spine injuries
- Severe chest pain or pressure
- Unusual or bad headache
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Passing out or fainting
What Services Are Offered at PACT Urgent Care Locations?
PACT urgent care locations offer a wide range of medical services to patients in Connecticut. Whether you’re dealing with a minor injury or unexpected illness, our experienced team is here to help you feel better. Some of the key services available at PACT urgent care locations include:
- Illness Diagnosis and Treatment: Diagnosis of colds, flu, ear infections, sinus infections, pink eye, and related conditions, along with appropriate treatment.
- Minor Injury Care: Cleaning and stitching minor cuts, bandaging wounds, splinting minor fractures, wrapping sprains, and similar care.
- Testing: Testing for COVID, flu, strep throat, UTIs, pregnancy, and more.
- X-rays: Diagnostic imaging for suspected fractures and other injuries.
- Physical Exams: School, sports, and other types of physicals.
- Medication Administration: Vaccinations, injectable medications, and prescriptions as needed.
- Specialist referrals: Access to PACT’s broad network of specialists for follow-up care, including dermatologists, rheumatologists, and pulmonologists.
Benefits of Choosing PACT for Urgent Care
Visiting PACT for urgent care means more than just quick, accessible treatment for your health concerns. It’s high-quality care centered on your needs. Whether you’re a current PACT patient or visiting us for the first time, here’s what you can expect when you choose PACT for urgent care:
- Continuity of Care: If you’re already a PACT patient, choosing PACT for urgent care helps you receive more coordinated, consistent care.
- Experienced Providers: Our top-rated physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are committed to providing excellent care.
- Clean, Modern Setting: PACT offers state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to serve you best.
- On-Site Records: Our electronic health records system makes visit details available to your care team and to you through PACT MyChartPLUS.
- On-Site Referrals: PACT is a multi-specialty medical practice, allowing urgent care patients to receive seamless referrals to other parts of the PACT network.
- Most Major Insurance Plans Accepted: PACT currently accepts a wide range of plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, to help make care accessible.
Locations and Hours Across Connecticut
PACT Primary Care has locations throughout the New Haven Area of Connecticut, including in Cheshire, Milford, Guilford, Wallingford, New Haven, and West Haven. Office hours vary by location. For example, our West Haven location offers urgent care services every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.
Find a PACT location in your neighborhood and get the care you need, when you need it.
Find Urgent Care Near Me at PACT
Urgent care centers offer diagnosis and treatment of conditions that require prompt attention but don’t warrant a trip to the emergency room. Before you have an urgent medical issue, learn what your care options are. Locate or bookmark your nearest PACT location that offers urgent care services so that when a health issue arises, you’ll know where to turn for high-quality care.
PACT’s top-rated primary care providers are currently accepting new patients, including for urgent care services. To get care, call us or request an appointment through our convenient online form.
