The majority of urgent care centers offer on-site X-ray services, providing a convenient alternative to a hospital emergency room. These facilities focus on non-life-threatening conditions that still require prompt attention and diagnostic imaging. While many centers are equipped with X-ray machines, this capability is not universal. Patients can typically receive a quick evaluation and initial treatment for injuries like suspected fractures in a single visit to a well-equipped facility.
Which Urgent Cares Offer X-Rays
The presence of X-ray technology differentiates a full-service urgent care center from a walk-in retail clinic, which generally provides only basic medical services. Large national chains and established regional urgent care groups are significantly more likely to have X-ray equipment installed at all their locations. Providing on-site imaging requires a substantial capital investment in the equipment, as well as an ongoing operational commitment for maintenance and staffing.
Smaller, independently owned clinics may sometimes lack this equipment due to the high cost and the need for specialized personnel. An X-ray machine requires a trained staff member to be available during operating hours. Since only a fraction of total urgent care visits require an X-ray, staffing a dedicated technologist can be a financial challenge for lower-volume facilities. Checking a clinic’s website or calling ahead confirms on-site imaging availability, which is particularly helpful for patients with orthopedic injuries.
Common Reasons for Urgent Care Imaging
Musculoskeletal injuries represent a primary reason for urgent care X-ray utilization. Providers use the images to confirm or rule out simple bone fractures, assess joint alignment following a suspected dislocation, or evaluate severe soft tissue injuries like sprains. For instance, an X-ray can quickly distinguish between a severe ankle sprain, which requires immobilization and rest, and a non-displaced fracture that may need casting.
Imaging is also routinely utilized for conditions beyond bone injuries, particularly those involving the chest and abdomen. A chest X-ray is a standard procedure for patients presenting with symptoms like a persistent cough, fever, and shortness of breath, as it can help diagnose infections such as pneumonia. Furthermore, X-rays are an effective tool for detecting foreign bodies. This rapid diagnostic capability allows the urgent care provider to initiate treatment, such as antibiotics for a lung infection, without delay.
Interpreting Results and Subsequent Care
The urgent care provider examines the X-ray image to formulate an initial diagnosis and treatment plan. For clear-cut cases like a non-complex fracture or a minor dislocation, the provider can often begin immediate treatment, such as applying a splint or cast. However, all X-ray images taken at an urgent care facility are typically sent for a formal review by a board-certified radiologist through a process known as tele-radiology.
This tele-radiology overread ensures diagnostic accuracy, with final reports often returned to the clinic within a short timeframe, sometimes while the patient is still present. If the X-ray reveals a complex injury, such as a compound fracture, or suggests a condition requiring specialized intervention, the patient’s subsequent care shifts to referral or transfer. Simple injuries are treated on-site with immobilization and pain management, while more severe trauma or life-threatening findings necessitate immediate transfer to an emergency room or a direct referral to an orthopedic specialist for follow-up care.