When A Minute Clinic Omaha Residents Frequent Is Appropriate

By Christine Lee


It never fails that when you need medical attention, it is either after hours or a long wait for an appointment. If you don't need the services of the local emergency room, and the doctor's office and urgent care facility are closed, you might think you are out of options. In many towns, there is an alternative. In Omaha, Nebraska, you might be able to get medical help at a minute clinic Omaha pharmacies have added to some of their stores.

One of the most positive aspects about these clinics is the fact that they are open all day every day. Most towns have at least one pharmacy that offers these services, and many are located in the middle of neighborhoods for the convenience of their customers. You don't have to make an appointment. You can get your prescriptions filled where you see the medical professional.

These clinics will also treat almost anyone, regardless of age or gender. If you have a child under the age of two however, they may not be able to help you and will refer you to your pediatrician for consultation. Since children often seem to get sick quickly with rapid fever spikes, having an option that doesn't require an appointment or long waiting period is a plus.

You should not assume a retail clinic can be take care of major illnesses or injuries. For these kinds of issues, you need the services of a physician or emergency room. These facilities are prepared to treat individuals with fevers, colds, infections and viruses. You can get the shots you or your children need here. If you need your blood pressure or heart rate checked, the staff can help. They may perform other routine tests as well.

One important reason for their growing popularity is the affordability factor. An emergency room visit can end up costing hundred of dollars or more. A routine doctor's visit is also expensive, especially if you don't have insurance. Retail clinics on the other hand, are relatively inexpensive, and the prices they charge for their various services are published.

Minute clinics are not substitutes for emergency room care however. You should not expect them to have the facilities or the staff needed for major medical situations. Most do not have physicians on sight. When you go to one of the clinics, a licensed practical nurse or doctor's assistant will probably be the one examining you. Since there are no actual physicians in attendance, some individuals question the quality of care they will receive in a pharmacy.

Some people do not have a high comfort level with retail clinics. They may question the quality of the services provided or prefer to wait on their personal physician to see them. One disadvantage of these facilities is that they do not have access to medical records. The staff has to rely on the information given by the patient.

Retail clinics are a great convenience in many instances. They are affordable, open all the time, and have limited waiting lines. You just have to know what services you can expect before you go.




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