5 Current Trends in Urgent Care Medicine


Approximately 9,000 urgent care centers operate in the United States, with each center treating an average of 342 patients a week. Due to consumer demand for immediate access to medical care, hundreds more are expected to open over the next few years, according to the Urgent Care Association of America.


As urgent care centers seek to provide an exceptional patient experience, many are utilizing innovative on-site features and services, even turning to mobile solutions to connect instantly with patients. Below are five of the latest trends in urgent care medicine:


1. Appointment Setting – The walk-in model has always been one of the most appealing features for consumers seeking immediate care. Doctors Express of Jacksonville, FL and FastER Urgent Care in Morris Plains, NJ are among several facilities taking the convenience factor a step further by offering mobile and online appointment setting through iTriage® and their individual websites.


2. Early Check-In /Average Wait Times – Why sit in a waiting room when feeling miserable? By using Early Check-In from a mobile or online device, patients can wait comfortably at home until the doctor is ready to see them. At OnPoint Urgent Care’s two metro Denver locations, patients can inform staff of an impending arrival directly from their smartphones. Christie Clinics in Champaign-Urbana, IL use iTriage, along with their website to inform patients of average wait times at their clinics.


3. Occupational Medicine Services – FirstMed locations in Salt Lake City, and Freedom Urgent Care in Harker Heights, TX, are among the growing number of facilities providing local businesses with convenient, affordable and efficient occupational health services including DOT physicals, worker’s compensation and drug testing.


4. Additional On-site Services – At West Valley Urgent Care’s three Phoenix area locations, patients have access to digital x-ray services, on-site lab and EKG. CSHP Urgent Care in Colorado Springs offers all of those services, as well as a full service pharmacy on-site.