Do urgent care centers hurt patients?

Amid the healthcare industry’s efforts to reduce the overuse of emergency departments, a new poll indicates too many patients may seek treatment at urgent care centers instead, possibly posing a risk to their health. The poll, conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), surveyed nearly 3,000 ED physicians, 86% of whom indicated that there’s at least one urgent care center within 10 miles of their workplace. More than half the physicians said these urgent care centers were marketing themselves as alternatives to visiting the ED.

Source: FierceHealthCare