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Key points
- Wait times at urgent care centers can range from a few minutes to several hours, depending on patient volume and severity of conditions.
- Urgent care wait times are unpredictable due to varying patient needs and the nature of urgent care services.
- On average, 57 percent of urgent care patients wait less than 15 minutes, typically less than an hour.
- Even after being called into a room, patients may experience additional wait time based on facility circumstances.
- Even after being called into a room, patients may experience additional waiting time, depending on the facility's busyness and the arrival of more serious cases.
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Unpredictable Wait Times
The wait times at an urgent care can be unpredictable. This is because of the nature of the service being provided. When you come to an urgent care, it is because you're dealing with a illness or injury. Everyone else that is there is dealing with something similar, however, the severity of each sickness or injury differs making some patient encounters longer than others and also forces the medical staff to triage patients based on their medical needs.
Usually Less Than an Hour
In general, when you come to an urgent care facility, your wait time is going to be less than an hour. In fact, 57 percent of urgent care patients experience a wait time less than 15 minutes. However, it's important to remember that this is an estimate. This will vary depending on how busy the facility is and what other patients come in just before or after you arrive. It's also important to reiterate that these facilities are not first come, first served. Urgent care facilities serve patients based on need. If someone comes in after you with a more serious problem, it is likely that they will be seen before you.
Wait After Being Called Back
After you have been called back into a room, you may experience more wait time. Again, this depends on what else is going on in the facility. This additional wait time is usually just a couple of minutes, but may be extended based on surrounding circumstances.
If it is a busy day and more people with serious injuries come in after you have been called back, it is likely that your wait in the room will be long. This would be the same at any urgent care or even an emergency room. However, it is also just as likely that you'll see a doctor within a few minutes of your arrival.
FAQs
How long can I expect to wait at an urgent care center?
On average, most urgent care patients wait less than 15 minutes, but this can vary depending on the number of patients and the severity of their conditions.
Are wait times predictable at urgent care centers?
No, wait times at urgent care centers can be unpredictable due to the varying nature and severity of patient conditions.
Is the wait time at urgent care centers usually less than an hour?
Yes, generally the wait time at urgent care centers is less than an hour, with 57 percent of patients waiting less than 15 minutes.
Will I have to wait longer after being called into a room at an urgent care center?
Possibly, depending on the facility's circumstances and the arrival of patients with more serious conditions, there may be additional wait time.
Are patients seen on a first-come, first-served basis at urgent care centers?
No, urgent care facilities prioritize patients based on the severity of their medical needs, not their arrival time.
How does the severity of my illness or injury affect my wait time at an urgent care facility?
The severity of your illness or injury can greatly impact your wait time. If your condition is more severe, you may be seen before others who arrived before you. Conversely, if your condition is less severe, you may have to wait longer if other patients with more serious conditions arrive.
What is the average wait time at an emergency room compared to an urgent care center?
The average wait time at an emergency room is over 2 hours, while most urgent care patients wait less than 15 minutes.
Can the number of patients at an urgent care facility affect my wait time?
Yes, the number of patients at the facility and their medical needs can affect your wait time. The more patients there are, and the more severe their conditions, the longer you may have to wait.
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How we reviewed this article
Medically reviewed
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