Does Urgent Care Do Stitches?

You have a cut that seems pretty deep and won’t stop bleeding, and you’re wondering if you need stitches. You can’t get in to see your primary care provider right away, and your injury doesn’t seem severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room, so your next thought is, “Does urgent care do stitches?

This article answers that question and provides other helpful information about urgent care centers.

What Is an Urgent Care Center?

Urgent care centers handle injuries and illnesses that aren’t severe enough to require emergency care but are time-sensitive. If your primary care provider is closed for the evening or weekend or can’t fit another appointment into their schedule, an urgent care center is a good option.

They are staffed by doctors, nurses and technicians trained in handling a wide variety of issues. That includes lacerations. So, in our example above, the answer is yes, urgent care centers can do stitches.

What Else Does an Urgent Care Center Do?

Urgent care centers can treat many conditions that aren’t life- or limb-threatening, including:

• Sprains and strains
• Minor broken bones
• Diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses like strep throat and urinary tract infections
• Minor burns
• Mild allergic reactions

When in Doubt, Lean Toward the Emergency Room

If you have a medical issue and aren’t sure if it’s severe enough that it requires emergency care, it’s best to err on the side of caution and go to an emergency room. Emergency care is essential for any of the issues above that rise above the level of “minor,” plus any of the following:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Stroke symptoms like slurred speech, arm weakness or facial drooping
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Significant physical trauma from things like car accidents
• Injuries with severe bleeding
• Sudden severe headache
• Injuries to or near the eyes
• Poisoning

Urgent Care Center Availability

Urgent care centers tend to have shorter waiting times and lower costs than emergency rooms. However, it’s important to remember that while urgent care centers are generally open outside of normal business hours, they typically are not open 24 hours a day. On the other hand, emergency rooms are open 24/7.

It’s a good idea to research urgent care centers and emergency rooms in your area. That way, if a time-sensitive medical issue arises, you don’t have to spend any time searching for a facility. You can simply decide which level of care you need and head to the appropriate location.

If you’ll be staying somewhere away from home, such as on vacation, it’s helpful to do a quick search for providers there, too. Hopefully, you won’t have an urgent or emergency medical issue, but it’s reassuring to know where to get help if you need it.

Get Care for Time-Sensitive Medical Issues From Baptist Health

If you need stitches or other time-sensitive care, Baptist Health urgent care centers in Kentucky and Indiana are here for you!

Next Steps and Helpful Resources

Learn More About Urgent Care at Baptist Health
Urgent Care for Minor Illnesses
Choosing Urgent Care or the Emergency Room
Benefits of Urgent Care Centers
From Primary Care to the ER: Understanding Your Options