Urgent Care and Retail Clinic Comparison
How we compare:
Many consumers are likely to confuse urgent care services with “retail clinics.” Put simply, a retail clinic is a facility located in a big box store, such as a Walmart or a Walgreens, that aims to provide convenient healthcare services. These clinics are designed to provide the most basic preventive care services while you’re out shopping or picking up a prescription.
However, it is important to understand that a retail clinic is not a viable substitute for urgent care. A patient should not seek out a retail clinic for urgent care needs because they don’t provide a lot of critical services for patients. Here is a breakdown of the key differences between urgent care centers and retail clinics:
Urgent Care Centers:
FirstCall Medical Center:
- Provide patients with preventive care screenings, blood pressure monitoring, vaccinations, and other preventive care services.
- Onsite board-certified physicians are located at urgent care centers to provide and guide important healthcare decisions.
- Equipped with lab testing services that can perform STI screenings and blood work
- Able to treat urgent care injuries such as fractures, sprains, and minor bone breaks
- Walk-in clinic available during convenient hours each day
- X-Ray capabilities
- Sport and Camp Physicals
Retail Clinics:
- Only able to treat a limited amount of urgent care injures
- Usually staffed by a nurse practitioner or a similar professional
- Usually limited in lab and x-ray equipment
- Only open during the retail store’s hours
Whenever you need urgent care make sure to contact FirstCall Medical Center for your needs!
We can be reached at (410) 694-7999 or patients can walk-in without the need for an appointment at these locations below:
GAMBRILLS, MD
1071 MD-3 North, Suite 101
Gambrills, MD 21054
Phone
410-694-7999
HOURS
Mon-Fri 8am - 8pm
Sat and Sun 8am - 5pm
LAUREL, MD
10981 Johns Hopkins Road.
Laurel, MD 20723 (Maple Lawn)
Phone
410-694-7999
HOURS
Mon-Fri 8am - 10pm
Sat and Sun 8am - 5pm
ELKRIDGE, MD
8186 Lark Brown Rd Suite #302
Elkridge, MD, 21075
Phone
HOURS
Mon-Fri 7:30am - 3:30pm
Sat and Sun Closed
Ellicott City, MD
10120 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Phone
410-694-7999
HOURS
Mon-Fri 8am - 10pm
Sat and Sun 8am - 5pm