Urgent Care Specialist

Primary Care Associates of Maryland

Family Medicine & Geriatrics located in Frederick, MD & Clarksburg, MD

If you have a minor cut that might need stitches or a debilitating fever, it’s easy to forgo care in fear of long wait times in the emergency room. With urgent care at Primary Care Associates, with two locations in Frederick and another in Clarksburg, Maryland, Praveen Bolarum, MD, and the skilled team can care for you outside of normal business hours with little or no wait time. For more information about urgent care, request an appointment by phone or online at Primary Care Associates of Maryland, or simply walk in for immediate medical attention today.

Urgent Care Q & A

What is urgent care?

Urgent care is a type of medical care with low wait times. If you need medical attention right away but can’t access your primary care provider, or if your ailment occurs outside of normal business hours, the urgent care team at Primary Care Associates of Maryland is prepared to provide the care you need.

They can diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions and symptoms with advanced technologies and treatments, including X-rays, lab work, and wound repair. They’re also qualified to prescribe medications.

What is the difference between urgent care and emergency care?

Both urgent care and emergency care don’t require you to make an appointment before you show up for care. You can also see a doctor at both places in the evening, on weekends, and other times outside of normal business hours. However, emergency rooms can have long wait times for those whose illnesses or injuries aren’t life-threatening.

With urgent care, this isn't the case. You can come in for prompt medical attention without the hours-long wait. However, if your injury or illness threatens your life or might disable you without immediate care, you should go to an emergency room instead of an urgent care center. For example, if you’re bleeding uncontrollably, have a deep wound, have chest pain, or suicidal thoughts, the emergency room can provide you with the treatment you need.

When should I make an urgent care visit?

The urgent care team at Primary Care Associates of Maryland can diagnose and treat more health complications and injuries than you might expect. If your condition requires care within 24 hours of its onset, you can come in for urgent care without waiting days or weeks for an appointment with your primary provider. Some conditions treatable with urgent care are:

Small bone fractures (e.g., fingers and toes)
Fever
Cold and flu
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Eye irritation
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Small lacerations
Sprains and strains

If you have some unusual symptoms and aren’t sure about what’s causing them, the urgent care team can evaluate you to find answers and give you peace of mind. When in doubt, you should seek care for anything that seems unusual or indicative of a problem.

To find out more about urgent care and when you should seek it, call Primary Care Associates of Maryland or request an appointment online today.