Head injuries are a common concern. Urgent care centers frequently serve as a point of contact for initial assessment following a head trauma. These facilities can evaluate injury severity and determine appropriate next steps.
Urgent Care’s Role in Concussion Assessment
Urgent care centers perform initial assessments for potential concussions following a head injury. Providers evaluate symptoms and conduct physical examinations to determine concussion likelihood and rule out more severe conditions. This initial evaluation often involves assessing the mechanism of injury and the patient’s immediate post-injury state.
Urgent care providers are trained to conduct neurological exams, which help identify signs of brain injury. While specialized imaging equipment may not be on-site, they can order necessary tests like CT scans if a skull fracture or brain bleeding is suspected. If advanced imaging is needed, they can facilitate a referral or direct patients to an emergency department.
What to Expect During an Urgent Care Visit
When visiting urgent care for a potential concussion, the medical team gathers a detailed medical history. This includes questions about how the head injury occurred, any loss of consciousness, and immediate post-impact symptoms. Patients will be asked about symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, confusion, and memory issues.
Following the history, a physical examination, including a neurological assessment, will be performed. This examination checks balance, coordination, reflexes, and eye movements. Cognitive functions, such as memory and orientation, may also be assessed to gauge immediate neurological status. The provider will also discuss any “red flag” symptoms that might indicate a more serious injury.
Limitations and When to Seek Emergency Care
Urgent care centers are designed for conditions requiring prompt, non-life-threatening attention. This applies to head injuries as well. These facilities are not equipped to manage severe traumatic brain injuries that might require immediate neurosurgical intervention or continuous neurological monitoring.
They typically do not have immediate on-site access to highly specialized diagnostic imaging equipment like MRI machines or consultations with neurosurgical specialists. It is important to seek immediate emergency care at a hospital for certain “red flag” symptoms following a head injury. These include:
Severe or worsening headache
Repeated vomiting
Any seizure activity
Prolonged loss of consciousness
Weakness or numbness in the limbs
Slurred speech
Significant confusion or disorientation
Pupils of unequal size
Clear fluid or blood draining from the ears or nose
Post-Diagnosis Steps and Recovery
After an initial assessment at an urgent care center, if a concussion is diagnosed or strongly suspected, the healthcare provider will offer initial guidance. This guidance includes basic care instructions for managing symptoms at home and recommendations for follow-up care. Patients are advised to schedule an appointment with their primary care physician or a specialist, such as a neurologist or sports medicine doctor, for ongoing management.
Concussion recovery involves a period of physical and cognitive rest, limiting activities that require significant mental or physical exertion. Patients are advised to gradually return to their normal activities as symptoms improve, avoiding any activities that could lead to another head injury. Monitoring for any worsening or new symptoms is important, and patients are instructed on when to seek further medical attention if concerns arise.