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Mobile Urgent Care Reaches An Under-Served Population

By Dominique Martin


Although controversial federal legislation is allowing many previously uninsured Americans to buy affordable medical insurance, a substantial number still are still unable to do so. They often cope with chronic financial struggles, and for many in that situation seeing the doctor is a last resort. Mobile urgent care helps those who need it the most by bringing top-quality medical personnel and facilities to local residents.

Traditionally, an urgent need facility is designed to be a lower-cost alternative to an emergency room, and also provides additional services unavailable in an ER. Those without insurance often pay inflated costs in an ER visit, must literally wait for hours to see a physician, and and receive scant followup or preventive instructions. Unlike an ER, these centers not only treat injuries, but also bad colds or the flu, administer x-rays and lab tests, give physicals, and more.

Locating these services in a large vehicle is a far more cost-effective method of reaching patients who skip treatment because of money issues. Often housed in an RV that has been gutted and fitted with up-to-date medical technology, it may be staffed by nurse practitioners, doctors, and aides. When budgets and physical size allow, other services and staff can be added to the roster.

Even though economics in many areas have improved, many people are beginning to pay a steep price for neglecting common but chronic health issues for years. The current explosion of diabetes has created a sense of impending crisis for individuals aware they have the disease, but who have not yet developed debilitating long-term effects. Traveling centers provide them important ongoing care and monitoring.

There are relatively few restrictions regarding patient eligibility. Children are given vaccinations and treated for common problems such as earaches and colds, while elderly people with diminished financial resources are also encouraged to take charge of their own health. Areas experiencing and influx of immigration set aside political polarization in order to help people of all statuses achieve optimal health.

For those recuperating from surgery, some units feature help for patients after they have been discharged. The ability of a unit to travel helps cut down lengthy recovery times, limits the chances of avoidable post-surgical infections or other complications, and helps support caregivers within families. For patients living alone, the service increases peace of mind.

Without this type of program, many patients would receive little or no personalized medical attention. Doctors and practitioners not only assess and treat symptoms, but also provide current information regarding nutrition and diet, dispense prenatal advice, and help parents keep child immunizations up to date. They provide information for young adults on safer sex and STD transmission.

More than four thousand people can receive help in one year from a single unit, and demand for the service is not diminishing. Educational material and screenings for healthy individuals helps prevent future problems, while suppressing cost inflation. Whether patients are coping with the singular stresses of aging or having trouble finding affordable decent housing, care of this type helps fill the need.




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