Urgent Care and Retail Clinic Comparison

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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

410-730-3399

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

 

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Get the right care, right when you need it. Come see us today!