Analysis: Where To Go for Flu Diagnosis

The flu season is back in Greenville. So, where should you go for lab work? ER, Urgent Care, or your family doctor?

ER

We normally go to the ER for life-threatening cases like heart attacks, strokes, shots, cuts, major bleeding, and severe burns. You match your symptoms with a destination that has the tools or equipment to diagnose your condition. If you are not sure what equipment a clinic has, you can call ahead and ask.  You can also call a doctor or have a Telehealth session to determine your most likely diagnosis and ask about the equipment needed to confirm suspicions.

Are you able to spend half a day in the ER?

Urgent Care

Once you have medical guidance, you will be in a better situation to choose between ER, Urgent Care, or the office of your family doctor.

Urgent care can have you in and out in an hour in most cases.  Call ahead to be sure they have the required diagnostic equipment you need for your condition.  God forbid that their X-ray or other equipment does not work on a given day.

Also, some urgent care locations have tests back in an hour.  You call ahead for a specific test, show up at that hour, and go home.  You can call back if they don’t call you for test results.

Medical practitioners will then discuss treatment. When you are sick, you want to make wise use of your time and resources.  You always want a prompt, accurate, and happy outcome.