The Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) at St. Joseph Hospital functions as an outpatient ambulatory service center, designed to meet the needs of patients with minor illness and injury. Patients may seek medical care at the UCC if they are unable to obtain a timely appointment with their primary care physician, or they do not have a primary care physician, and their injury or illness is not an emergency.

Services provided at the UCC are similar to those normally provided in a physician office, clinic, or other outpatient care setting. Services are available to patients of all ages including geriatric, adult, adolescent, children, and infant. Patients are seen on a walk-in basis. The Urgent Care Clinic is:

• Staffed by highly qualified physicians, health care providers, nursing and registration personnel
• Designed to treat minor illness and injury, including coughs, colds, sore throats, flu, and minor sports injuries such as strains and sprains
• Provides better, faster service and a dedicated staff that can focus their attention and resources solely on the Urgent Care patient
• Open seven days a week 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Patients who receive treatment at the UCC have access to all diagnostic and treatment resources at St. Joseph Hospital. Patients may also be referred to a specialty physician for follow-up care.

Because no appointment is necessary at the Urgent Care Clinic, fees may be higher than a visit to your primary care physician, but less than a visit to the Emergency Room.

Scope of Care Provided

While it is not possible to describe all potential illnesses or injuries that may be cared for at the UCC, the following list identifies common non-emergency medical conditions that are appropriate for service in the Urgent Care Clinic:

abrasions (minor) allergic reaction, allergies or hay fever arthritis back pain (mild, able to walk without assistance) blood pressure check burns (minor) common urinary tract infections constipation - three days or less coughs, colds, flu cuts (minor) where the bleeding is under control (call your doctor to make sure your tetanus is up to date) dermatologic problems (minor) diarrhea dental problems of a non-serious nature earache, ear pain eye irritation fever without convulsions foot problems - blisters, pain, ingrown toenails, plantar warts headache hemorrhoids infections (localized)

insect stings that do not cause breathing trouble joint pain lice, scabies, or ticks mouth blisters muscle aches and sprains neck pain physical exams sexual disease exposure or uncomplicated sexually transmitted disease (STD) simple, visible splinters sinusitis skin infection (minor), skin lumps, bumps, growths, or rash sleep disorder sore throat, with no difficulty swallowing sunburn or minor cooking burn suture removal upper respiratory infections vaginal bleeding, vaginitis weakness, minor wound checks, minor wounds