The question of whether an urgent care center can perform an ultrasound is common, as these facilities offer a convenient alternative to the emergency room for non-life-threatening issues. Ultrasound is a diagnostic tool using high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the body’s internal structures without radiation. While ultrasound services are not universal across all urgent care clinics, many facilities are increasingly adopting this technology to provide quicker diagnoses. Availability depends heavily on the individual clinic’s size, location, and investment in equipment and trained personnel.
Scope of Ultrasound Services in Urgent Care
Ultrasound availability is highly variable; fewer than 25% of urgent care centers have on-site equipment, and even fewer offer 24/7 access. When available, ultrasound typically falls under the category of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS). POCUS is a focused study performed by the treating clinician at the bedside to answer a specific, immediate clinical question, rather than a comprehensive diagnostic exam.
This differs from a formal diagnostic study, which is conducted by a dedicated sonographer using advanced equipment and interpreted by a board-certified radiologist. POCUS is designed for rapid assessment, helping the provider make immediate decisions regarding admission, discharge, or referral for more definitive imaging. The accuracy of POCUS for certain conditions can be comparable to formal imaging, but it is operator-dependent and less comprehensive.
The equipment used for POCUS is often portable, contrasting with the large, stationary machines found in hospital imaging suites. Staffing is another factor; clinics may have a machine but lack a trained sonographer, relying instead on clinicians who have received specialized POCUS training. Therefore, a center may perform a quick screening scan but not a detailed, multi-view study.
Common Diagnostic Uses of Urgent Care Ultrasound
Urgent care facilities utilize ultrasound to quickly evaluate acute symptoms and rule out immediate causes for concern. A common application is for patients presenting with sudden, severe abdominal or flank pain. The ultrasound can identify gallstones or kidney stones (urolithiasis) causing obstruction, providing a quick diagnosis to guide pain management.
Another frequent use is evaluating soft tissue concerns, as ultrasound can differentiate between cellulitis (a skin infection) and an abscess. This distinction is important because an abscess often requires drainage, and ultrasound can guide the procedure safely. For injuries, it can assess soft tissues like tendons and ligaments, which X-rays cannot visualize.
In vascular cases, POCUS is frequently used for rapid screening for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a time-sensitive condition. For female patients experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, such as spotting or pain, ultrasound can quickly confirm an intrauterine pregnancy, helping rule out an ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening condition. However, these are typically focused checks, not full anatomical or dating scans.
Finding a Facility and Understanding Costs
Since ultrasound availability is not guaranteed, patients should call the urgent care clinic beforehand to confirm they have the equipment and trained staff for the scan needed. Many urgent care centers list their capabilities, including ultrasound or POCUS, on their websites or during online check-in. This proactive step saves time and ensures the facility can meet the patient’s need.
Choosing urgent care for an ultrasound is typically more cost-effective than going to a hospital emergency room (ER). An urgent care visit without insurance may range from $80 to $280 for a basic visit, with a scan potentially adding to that cost. In contrast, an ER visit for a non-life-threatening condition can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars.
The total charge may include a facility fee for equipment use and a separate professional fee for the clinician’s interpretation. For insured patients, the out-of-pocket cost is usually limited to a lower copay than that required for an ER visit. The transparency of pricing at many urgent care clinics allows patients to inquire about the cost of an ultrasound before the service is rendered.
When Urgent Care Imaging is Insufficient
Limitations of urgent care ultrasound relate to the complexity of the study or the need for definitive, expert interpretation. Portable POCUS machines may lack the high-resolution imaging capabilities or specialized probes required for highly detailed studies, such as complex cardiac imaging or late-term fetal anatomical surveys. For comprehensive diagnostic clarity, these cases still require a specialized imaging center.
If the urgent care provider finds POCUS results ambiguous, or if findings indicate a condition requiring immediate specialist consultation or surgical intervention, the patient will be transferred to a hospital. Urgent care centers are not equipped to handle severe trauma, unstable cardiac issues, or complicated obstetrical emergencies, which require hospital resources. If a life-threatening condition is suspected, such as a ruptured organ or an abdominal aortic aneurysm, bypassing the urgent care and going directly to the ER is necessary.