Is it Safe to Visit Urgent Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by LCMC Health Urgent Care.

Is it Safe to Visit Urgent Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Challenging. Unprecedented. Unbelievable.

Though overused, these words aptly describe the times in which we find ourselves living asIs Urgent Care safe during COVID-19? we all come to grips with life during a global pandemic. Wearing masks and distancing has become commonplace and everyone is sad to miss many of the family get-togethers and social occasions that are so important to us here in South Louisiana. However, one thing that’s important not to miss is any health care issues outside of COVID-19. Just as it is vital to continue with your annual check-ups and procedures like mammograms, it’s also important to take care of common illnesses and injuries such as sprains and strains, fall allergies, earaches, urinary tract infections, and cuts that may require stitches. Not seeking professional health care for these issues can lead to worse symptoms and complications that put you in danger of more intensive procedures possibly involving a trip to the emergency room and a hospital stay.

Should I be worried about coming in to an urgent care facility?

Many people have concerns about visiting an urgent care facility. However, it is actually quite safe and definitely outweighs the risks of not receiving proper care for your illness or injury. LCMC Health Urgent Care is closely following all CDC guidelines to keep our facilities safe for both our patients and staff, and our  doctors and medical professionals are working hard to maintain the highest level of cleanliness and safety. In addition, because we are experiencing lower traffic, there are fewer patients in the waiting room, which allows for proper social distancing and the ability to be seen quickly so you can get back to your home sooner to recuperate.

LCMC Health Urgent Care Safety Measures

These are just a few of the core safety measures we are taking to ensure your safety and offer you peace of mind.

  • Strict cleaning and disinfection protocols are always in place and require frequent, aggressive sanitizing of all surfaces in our clinics.
  • Online check-in and registration enables patients to schedule their visits and fill out patient information remotely to facilitate safe social distancing.
  • Each patient that comes to LCMC Health Urgent Care for a visit is asked to please remain in your vehicle, and call the clinic to either check-in or let the staff know that you have arrived for your appointment.
  • Patients with COVID-19 symptoms are immediately isolated into a designated COVID-19 room.
  • For those who prefer to “stay at home”, a “Virtual Visit” gives patients the option of using their home computer or mobile device for a “face-to-face” video exam. Just go to LCMChealthUrgentCare.com and select “Schedule a Virtual Visit.”.

Steps to Take Before Visiting Your Urgent Care

Remember, visiting an urgent care is the right choice when you are experiencing a routine illness or injury. When possible, visiting an urgent care instead of an emergency department helps our emergency medicine teams focus on caring for the sickest patients. However, here are a few things to consider before visiting an urgent care center during the COVID-19 outbreak:

  • Limit the amount of people you bring with you to the visit.
  • Schedule an appointment ahead of time to help limit your wait time.
  • If you are sick with symptoms related to COVID-19 (fever, dry cough and respiratory symptoms) – call ahead and tell the team. They will have special instructions and can better advise you on what to do.

Please, don’t put off seeking immediate health care for minor illnesses or injuries. Here in the New Orleans area, LCMC Health Urgent Care is ready to help with six convenient, walk-in clinics to treat you and your family. Our locations: Lakeview (826 Harrison Ave. Ste. A), Gretna (2600 Belle Chase, Hwy. B-2),  Clearview (1105 S Clearview Pkwy.), Algiers (3801 General DeGaulle Dr.) and Marrero (4945 Lapalco Blvd.) are open 7 days a week and no appointment is ever necessary. Our reach also extends to the Covington area with our LCMC Health Urgent Care (formerly Lake Urgent Care Northshore). All clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. LCMC Health Urgent Care is backed by the outstanding resources and reputation of LCMC Health, which manages some of the top hospitals in the New Orleans area including Children’s Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center, New Orleans East Hospital and West Jefferson Hospital.  For more information, visit www.lcmchealthurgentcare.com. Get answers at any LCMC Health Urgent Care location. Also, be sure to “Like” and “Follow” LCMC Health Urgent Care on Facebook and Instagram.

1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks for the tip that scheduling ahead of time will ultimately give me less time exposed outdoors during the pandemic. I had a really bad wrist sprain the other day when I made a mistake when lifting weights in the home gym. If ever I got into a worse accident, I should always be prepared to go and seek medical help as soon as possible.

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