What are the differences between an emergency department, an urgent care and a convenient care?
An emergency room is attached to a hospital and is there to provide treatment for life-threatening, organ-threatening or limb-threatening illnesses or injuries or conditions. Urgent cares and convenient cares provide similar services, but aren’t necessarily attached to a hospital and typically do not deal with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
When is it best to go to the emergency room rather than the convenient care?
Conditions that warrant an emergency room visit would be anything involving the heart, like chest pain or severe shortness of breath; abdominal pain; symptoms suggesting a stroke or seizure; all of these should be seen in an emergency room.
What types of injuries or illnesses are seen at the convenient care?
We typically see upper respiratory infections, including sinus infections, allergies, strep throat, bronchitis, exacerbations of asthma, ankle sprains, finger injuries and minor lacerations.
What other types of services are available at O’Fallon Convenient Care?
We offer high school sports physicals, immunizations limited to flu shots, tetanus updates, and hepatitis A vaccine.
What is the best way to see a doctor at the convenient care location? Do I make an appointment?
No appointment is needed at our walk-in facility. We provide services from 8 am – 8 pm.
Is there a certain comfort level seeing a doctor with a nagging illness or injury rather than waiting to see your primary care physician?
Yes, there’s sometimes frustration from patients that they can’t get in to see their doctor, or they don’t have a doctor available, and they want services more immediately. We can provide that for them – they don’t have to schedule an appointment. Our co-pays are similar to their family physician’s co-pays. Our setting does provide a level of comfort – it’s a little bit more comfortable than a typical emergency room.
If there is something more serious you discover at the convenient care location, would you communicate with the family physician?
Yes – we have a triage-type system. If someone comes in with a condition or illness threatening their life, limb or organs, we need to address that immediately and offer them transportation to an emergency department. We can also communicate with our BJC physicians if needed.