Urgent Care

Urgent Care is an acute-care service for many types of illnesses or injuries that need prompt attention, but aren't likely to result in loss of life or severe impairment.

The service is staffed seven days a week, 24 hours a day, by physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants trained to evaluate and treat most acute medical problems.

If your condition requires more extensive evaluation, we'll arrange for you to be transferred to MIT Medical's Inpatient Service or an emergency room. An emergency generally involves an illness that is currently or potentially life-threatening*.

If you're uncertain about the severity of a problem, whether physical or emotional, please call us at 617-253-1311, and a staff member will help you in one of the following ways:

• Answer your questions, give you advice, and/or, explain what you should do immediately at home
  
• Ask you to come in right away
  
• Direct you to the nearest emergency room or one of our affiliated hospitals
  

What to Expect
We always treat the sickest patients first, so if the clinic is busy, you may need to wait before being seen.

If you're on a tight schedule and your problem isn't urgent, we recommend making an appointment with your personal physician or the appropriate clinical service.

Common Symptoms
Since many symptoms and minor accidents can be treated at home, please print and save a copy of our Tips for Common Symptoms — it may save you a trip to MIT Medical.

Emergency Care
For details about life-threatening situations that require emergency care, please refer to our Emergency Care Service*.

Staff
Richard Arnold, FNP-BC
Lynn Forgues, R.N.
Richard C. Keller, R.N.
Janis Puibello, FNP-BC

*MIT Medical will apply "The Prudent Layperson Standard" in reviewing claims for emergency room (ER) services. A prudent layperson refers to a clear-thinking adult with an average knowledge of health and medicine. The standard for ER claims is defined as emergency care for medical, maternity, or psychiatric emergencies that leads a prudent layperson to believe that a serious medical condition exists, or that the absence of medical attention will result in a threat to the person's life, limb, or sight. In other words, the person believes his or her health or life is in danger, and emergency medical intervention is needed.

In contrast, urgent care is a medically necessary treatment for illness or injury that would not result in further disability or death if not treated immediately. An urgent care illness or injury requires professional attention and treatment within 24 hours to avoid further complications.