The number of medical care options available can make it difficult to choose where to go for your specific need. If you’re experiencing chest pain, the obvious choice is a hospital emergency room. But outside of that, how do you decide on the best type of health care? While an urgent care center can be a lower cost option for minor emergency service, a lot of standalone emergency clinics can cost than a doctor’s office visit. Whether you’re considering birth center advantages over other types of medical care, or figuring out what you should do about your possibly broken ankle, understanding your choices for specific situations will help you get the best kind of care at the best value.
Maternity Services
Most women give birth by the time they reach their early 40s. In fact, a 2016 study showed that 86% of women had given birth by then. Without any other medical complications, this age range of women don’t have to worry about high-risk pregnancies and have a lot of options available to them.
While some opt for in-home births, the majority of people seek out other options. When deciding on the best place for maternity services, consider a hospital with pregnancy classes, a women’s clinic and well-reviewed female health services. Additionally, consider a hospital that has a relationship with a birth center. Some birth center advantages include: top-quality maternity care, natural birth support and emergency medical care help from the associated nearby hospital, if needed. But keep in mind, high-risk pregnancies might not qualify for the services provided by birth centers.
Bone Fractures and MRI Imaging
If you’ve broken a bone or sprained something, your first instinct might be a hospital visit. But unless you’re immobilized by the injury or in severe pain, the emergency room might not be the best first choice. Your primary care doctor can evaluate you injury, and then determine if you need some kind of medical scan, like an MRI or X-ray. Even if you do go to the emergency room, you may be referred to an orthopedic specialist or an orthopedic surgery center, depending on the severity of the fracture.
The good news is many injuries that we think are fractures initially end up being sprains. Every day, 25,000 Americans do sprain an ankle, so it is a common issue. The other good news, is that most hospitals are connected to a network of outpatient care centers, like an orthopedic specialist, who can help make sure your fracture is properly taken care of.
Cardiovascular Center
As we mentioned before, the signs of a heart attack–chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or numbness in the left arm–should be taken seriously and a trip to the closest emergency room is necessary. However, outside of emergency situations, you should look for a hospital with a renowned cardiovascular center and cardiac rehab. Remember that most urgent care facilities will not be able to assist you if you’re having a heart attack. They will likely send you via ambulance to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Conclusion
Whether you’re weighing your options for that possibly broken ankle, or considering birth center advantages over in-home birth, there are tons of medical options available that will fit your specific situation. When the situation isn’t a life-threatening emergency, take time to consider your options to ensure you get the best quality care at the best value.
