Urgent care (UC) facilities function as walk-in medical centers designed to treat acute, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. These centers are staffed by licensed medical professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, who possess the authority to diagnose conditions and prescribe necessary medications. Urgent care can prescribe antibiotics when a bacterial infection is identified, but the decision is based on a thorough medical evaluation.
Common Infections Treated with Antibiotics at Urgent Care
Urgent care providers routinely treat a range of bacterial infections that are uncomplicated and do not demand emergency room resources. One of the most frequent conditions is uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), which typically presents with symptoms like a burning sensation or a persistent urge to urinate. UC centers can quickly perform a urinalysis to confirm the presence of bacteria and determine the appropriate antibiotic course to prevent the infection from progressing to the kidneys.
Another common ailment is strep throat, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, which requires antibiotic treatment to prevent serious complications. Minor skin infections, such as cellulitis or an infected wound, are also within the scope of urgent care. These conditions involve bacterial invasion of the skin and underlying tissues, often requiring oral antibiotics or, in the case of a small abscess, a minor incision and drainage procedure.
Acute bacterial sinusitis may also warrant an antibiotic prescription. While many cases of sinusitis begin as viral infections, a provider may prescribe antibiotics if the symptoms are severe or have lasted longer than seven to ten days, suggesting a secondary bacterial takeover. Similarly, certain ear infections, especially those with discharge or persistent pain, may be bacterial and benefit from timely antibiotic intervention.
Diagnostic Procedures and Antibiotic Stewardship
The process of determining whether an antibiotic is necessary relies heavily on specific diagnostic procedures and the principles of antibiotic stewardship. UC facilities are equipped with point-of-care testing, which allows providers to quickly analyze samples right in the clinic. For instance, a rapid strep test can confirm the presence of Streptococcus bacteria in minutes, providing immediate evidence for an antibiotic prescription.
Likewise, a simple urinalysis can quickly detect signs of a bacterial UTI by analyzing the urine for white blood cells, nitrites, or blood. This rapid confirmation is paramount because many common illnesses, such as the common cold, influenza, and most cases of acute bronchitis, are caused by viruses, against which antibiotics are completely ineffective. Prescribing antibiotics for a viral infection not only fails to help the patient but also contributes to a broader public health concern.
This measured approach falls under the umbrella of Antibiotic Stewardship, a commitment to prescribing antibiotics only when they are necessary and appropriate. Overuse of these medications is a primary driver of antibiotic resistance, a phenomenon where bacteria adapt and develop mechanisms to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. Data suggests that approximately 30% of antibiotics prescribed in outpatient settings are unnecessary. Providers use clinical judgment, patient history, and test results to ensure they are selecting the correct drug for a confirmed bacterial target, thus preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics.
When Urgent Care Cannot Prescribe or Treat
The scope of urgent care is limited to acute, non-life-threatening conditions, meaning there are instances where an infection is too complex or severe for them to manage. Infections that require intravenous (IV) antibiotics, advanced imaging like a CT scan, or continuous monitoring must be immediately referred to a hospital Emergency Department (ED). This includes severe infections such as sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to an infection, or complicated cases of pneumonia.
Urgent care is generally not equipped to treat chronic or complex infections that require specialized follow-up or long-term management. Examples include osteomyelitis, a serious infection of the bone, or a complicated UTI involving the kidneys in a patient with underlying health issues. These conditions necessitate consultation with specialists and often require an inpatient stay for comprehensive care.
Patients experiencing certain severe symptoms should bypass urgent care and proceed directly to the ED for immediate evaluation. These warning signs include a high fever that does not respond to medication, significant difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, sudden altered mental status, or severe chest pain. Recognizing these symptoms is important, as they indicate a potentially life-threatening condition that exceeds the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of a typical urgent care facility.