Urgent care centers function as convenient, non-emergency alternatives to a primary care physician (PCP) for immediate health concerns. Many facilities are equipped to offer various laboratory services, including blood work, which helps providers quickly diagnose and treat a range of conditions. The specific capacity for testing varies significantly by location; some centers offer comprehensive on-site labs while others rely more on external services. Urgent care bridges the gap between routine doctor visits and the hospital emergency room.
Types of On-Site Lab Tests
Urgent care facilities offer a mix of immediate and quick-turnaround diagnostic testing to aid in rapid decision-making. The fastest results come from point-of-care (POC) testing, which processes samples right at the clinic using specialized devices. POC tests yield results in minutes for common concerns:
- Influenza A and B
- Group A Streptococcus (strep throat)
- Mononucleosis
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) via urinalysis
More involved blood work is also frequently available, including the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and the Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP). A CBC provides a snapshot of red cells, white cells, and platelets, useful for identifying infections, anemia, or inflammation. The BMP measures electrolytes, glucose, and kidney function markers, offering insights into metabolic status and possible dehydration. Some centers may also process blood draws for lipid panels or hemoglobin A1c on-site, depending on their equipment.
Understanding Turnaround Times and Costs
Turnaround Times
The time to receive lab results depends on whether the test is processed in-house or sent to an outside reference laboratory. POC tests, such as rapid strep or flu tests, are processed on-site, providing results in 5 to 15 minutes, allowing immediate treatment. If blood work, like a thyroid panel or a complex culture, requires specialized equipment not available at the clinic, the sample is sent out to an external lab. This “send-out” process typically results in a turnaround time of 24 to 72 hours, though complex tests may take longer. Urgent care staff will contact the patient once results are received and reviewed by a provider.
Costs
An urgent care visit is generally much more affordable than an emergency room visit. While a lab test here may cost more than a routine draw ordered by a PCP, the convenience often outweighs this difference. Out-of-pocket costs depend heavily on the patient’s insurance plan, so verifying coverage beforehand is advisable.
Choosing Urgent Care Over the Emergency Room or PCP
The decision to use urgent care should be based on symptom severity and PCP availability. Urgent care is designed for acute, non-life-threatening illnesses requiring prompt attention, such as a high fever, a potential UTI, or an infection with mild to moderate symptoms. If a patient’s PCP is unavailable for a same-day appointment, urgent care offers a quick alternative to get necessary diagnostic blood work and start treatment.
Urgent care is not a substitute for the emergency room (ER), which is equipped for life-threatening conditions. Symptoms like severe chest pain, sudden numbness, difficulty breathing, or uncontrolled bleeding warrant an immediate call to 911 or a trip to the nearest ER. Urgent care is also not intended for routine care; regular monitoring of chronic conditions or annual wellness screenings should be scheduled with a PCP. Primary care is better suited for managing long-term health and preventative care.
Receiving Results and Next Steps
The process for receiving lab results depends on the urgency and type of test performed. For rapid POC tests, the provider discusses the results and treatment plan during the initial visit. For blood work sent to an external lab, the center contacts the patient via phone or secure patient portal once results are reviewed. Critical or significantly abnormal results are communicated immediately.
The urgent care provider interprets the results and determines the next steps, such as prescribing medication or recommending follow-up care. If the blood work reveals a condition requiring ongoing management, the patient is typically referred back to their PCP or a specialist. Urgent care provides immediate diagnosis and stabilization, ensuring a safe handoff for necessary long-term treatment.