Which Same-Day Health Clinic Should You Visit?

When an illness or injury occurs, you can’t always wait until later to see a healthcare provider. With same-day care locations in Northern Nevada, Carson Tahoe Health can provide a timely diagnosis and treatment so you can get back to work, school, or family. Picking the health clinic that best fits your needs can save time and money.

Unsure if symptoms are life-threatening? It’s best to err on the side of caution and call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department (ED). Otherwise, for minor medical care or non-life-threatening emergencies, a different same-day option may be a better choice. Let’s explore the different types of same-day care available from Carson Tahoe.   

Walk-In Clinics

If you’re dealing with a cough you can’t seem to shake and wondering how to fit a visit with a healthcare provider into your busy workweek schedule, a Carson Tahoe Walk-In Clinic is the ideal health clinic to turn to. With locations at Eagle Medical Center and Minden Medical Center, the Walk-In Clinics are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and appointments aren’t required.

When should you visit a Walk-In Clinic? These locations excel at caring for common, non-urgent medical conditions, including:

• Cold
• Cough
• Earache
• Eye irritation
• Flu
• Minor rashes
• Sore throat

Need a wellness checkup or a flu shot? The Walk-In Clinics have you covered. In addition to treating minor illnesses and injuries, the clinics provide physical exams, vaccinations, and diagnostic tests.

Urgent Care Clinics

Some medical conditions aren’t life-threatening but need treatment right away. When that’s the case, Carson Tahoe Urgent Care Clinics in Carson City and Dayton provide timely care seven days a week. The Carson City clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas). The Dayton location is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Urgent Care Clinics are excellent options when you need immediate, non-emergency medical attention after hours.

The Urgent Care Clinics treat a variety of illnesses and injuries, including:

• Cuts and lacerations requiring stitches
• Minor fractures
• Severe sore throat
• Sprains
• Upper respiratory and other infections

Additional medical services are available at each health clinic. The Urgent Care Clinic in Carson City provides limited medical imaging. Limited laboratory and blood work services are available at the Dayton location.

Emergent Care Center

Operating like an urgent care center but capable of treating minor medical emergencies, the Carson Tahoe Emergent Care Center at Minden Medical Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Emergent Care Center treats fractures, sprains, upper respiratory infections, and other non-life-threatening emergencies. When necessary, the Emergent Care Center can stabilize more critical conditions and transfer you for higher-level emergency care.

Comprehensive emergency services are available at the Mallory Emergency Department at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. When should you call 9-1-1 or go to the ED? If you experience signs of a life-threatening condition, such as heart attack or stroke, emergency care is essential.

A wide range of symptoms and conditions require emergency care, including:

• Altered mental status, such as confusion
• Chest pains
• Choking
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty speaking
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe pain
• Severe vomiting
• Sudden dizziness
• Sudden vision changes
• Uncontrolled bleeding

Why Choosing Your Health Clinic Wisely Matters

When you’re sick or injured, it’s natural to want to get care as quickly as possible so you can feel better. If, however, you take a few minutes to consider what would be the most appropriate type of health clinic to visit based on the nature of your medical problem and the time of day, you’re much more likely to have a smooth and cost-effective experience.

Visiting a walk-in clinic or urgent care center when it’s appropriate can help you save money on healthcare expenses. Care at an urgent care center is often more cost-effective and less time-consuming than going to the ED.

Wondering where to go when medical care can’t wait? Learn more about same-day care at Carson Tahoe.