Getting in to see your regular physician can be challenging at times. They may be away on vacation, taking a sabbatical, or conducting research. When the regular physician isn't available, many people turn to an urgent care center for the treatment they need. One reason they may visit the center is for an ultrasound.

An ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive imaging test. Doctors use it to diagnose multiple health conditions or to monitor an existing condition. Ultrasound may be used to determine whether a person has gallbladder disease, assess joint inflammation, monitor fetal development during pregnancy, and evaluate blood flow, among other uses. Why should a person consider having ultrasounds at urgent care rather than other facilities?

Do Urgent Care Centers Offer This Service?

Before heading to an urgent care center for an ultrasound, it is best to call ahead. Some urgent care clinics offer the service, yet others do not. Furthermore, talk with the clinic to determine whether they will perform the desired type of ultrasound. If an urgent care center does not offer ultrasounds, they may be able to order one for a patient so they can visit a clinic that does.

Ultrasound Options

Another thing to ask when calling an urgent care center is what types of ultrasounds they do. A center might do an abdominal ultrasound to check the internal organs or a pelvic ultrasound. Musculoskeletal ultrasounds may be needed, or a person might request a vascular ultrasound. Knowing the desired type will help determine whether the urgent care center can fulfill the request.

How Does an Ultrasound Conducted at an Urgent Care Center Differ From One at a Hospital?

An ultrasound performed at an urgent care center differs slightly from those performed at the hospital or a specialized clinic. One thing a person must consider is the expertise of those performing the procedure. Hospitals and specialized clinics have radiologists or sonographers who are trained to perform ultrasounds. In contrast, when ultrasound is performed at an urgent care center, a physician or medical assistant who has undergone ultrasound training will perform the procedure. The American Institute of Medical Sciences and Education reports this information, which is helpful to the individual needing this procedure. Any person should consider which professional they would like to perform the ultrasound.

Urgent care centers may have quality ultrasound machines. Still, they may not have the advanced equipment found at a specialized clinic or hospital. As a result, certain things may be missed if a person chooses to have this procedure done at an urgent care center. Suppose the reason for the ultrasound is not life-threatening. In that case, a person may decide to start at an urgent care center and visit a specialized hospital after seeing the results, or if the problem they are experiencing does not improve in a short period.

Why Visit an Urgent Care Center for an Ultrasound?

People may ask why they should go to an urgent care center for an ultrasound. This procedure may be used to determine if they have gallstones or kidney stones. It is often helpful to determine the cause of inflammation, and an ultrasound might be used to diagnose a pregnancy, including an ectopic pregnancy, or to look for a tumor or benign growth.

Pregnancy viability is one reason many women request an ultrasound. They want to monitor their baby's health and development, according to the Mayo Clinic. When the woman visits an urgent care center, she can hear fetal heart tones if the baby is far enough along. Doctors use this equipment to look for organ ruptures or tears that are causing bleeding that the person is experiencing.

Where to Go for an Ultrasound?

When a person understands what can be accomplished with an ultrasound at an urgent care center, it becomes easier to decide which facility to visit. At the urgent care clinic, several benefits come with having this ultrasound performed. Knowing these benefits makes this choice easier.

A person typically does not need to make an appointment to visit an urgent care center. They can walk in and request this procedure without an appointment. However, everyone should call the center beforehand to confirm whether they offer ultrasounds and whether there is a wait. The facility will also provide information on any preparations the patient must make before the procedure.

Insurance is another factor to consider when deciding where to have the ultrasound performed. Specific insurance plans cover the cost of this procedure, while others do not. Learn whether the urgent care center accepts the insurance and what the copay will be before the appointment. Fortunately, the cost tends to be lower when ultrasound is performed at an urgent care center rather than a hospital or specialized clinic.

Limitations of Urgent Care Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds are generally safe procedures, but there are risks and limitations a person should be aware of. The Journal of Urgent Care Medicine reports that ultrasounds performed at an urgent care center tend to yield higher rates of inaccurate or inconclusive results. Patients must keep this in mind when deciding where to have the procedure performed.

Preparing for the Appointment

Individuals must know how to prepare for an ultrasound. They need to ask the clinic whether there are any special instructions they should follow, such as fasting or drinking water, before undergoing the ultrasound. Comfortable clothes should be worn, as they may need to be removed. The patient should bring all required information and paperwork for the procedure.

Why Visit an Urgent Care Center for an Ultrasound?

People may ask why they should visit an urgent care center for an ultrasound, given the information above. Convenience is the main reason people choose this option, as urgent care centers are often open in the evenings and on weekends. A person can schedule the test around their other activities.

Ultrasounds help diagnose and treat many medical issues. These procedures are noninvasive and safe. They can be used to examine an individual's blood flow, tissues, or internal organs. This procedure helps uncover tumors, cysts, and other abnormalities that cannot be detected with other diagnostic methods. When an ultrasound is needed, an urgent care facility is an option that should not be overlooked.