Our urgent care center provides a number of valuable services for routine and pressing medical needs. One of them is wound care. If you or a loved one have an open cut, burn, animal bite, or puncture, we can help. Here is what to expect when you come to see our professional team for wound emergencies.
Before You Go to Your Urgent Care Center in Rochester, NY
A wound of any severity should be attended to with some basic first-care measures before you seek assessment and treatment at an urgent care center. Here are some steps to follow:
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Remove, if possible, any jewelry or clothing on your near the wound.
- Stop bleeding by applying firm, direct pressure with a sterile pad or clean cloth.
- Wash (irrigate) the area with clean water.
- Cover the wound with a sterile dressing.
Evaluating Different Kinds of Wounds at Your Urgent Care Center
There are a number of adult and pediatric wound emergencies that can receive accurate and stabilizing care at your urgent care center. The kinds of wounds include, but are not limited to:
- Burns and scalds
- Cuts and lacerations
- Abrasions and scrapes
- Punctures
- Animal bites
Very serious burns, such as deep and extensive third and fourth-degree burns, require fast assessment and treatment at your local hospital ER.
When you arrive at our urgent care center with a wound emergency, our medical staff will quickly assess the severity of your injury. You will be checked for any signs of infection, damage to underlying tissues, and debris in the wound. Then, we will determine the best course of treatment based on the type and severity of your wound.
For cuts and lacerations, we will clean the area thoroughly and make sure all debris is removed. Then, your provider will suture and/or apply an appropriate sterile dressing.
For minor burns and scalds, we will assess the extent of the burn and provide pain relief as needed. The wound will be cleaned and dressed as appropriate. Abrasions and scrapes may also require cleaning and dressing, depending on their size and depth.
Puncture wounds can be more serious as they can become infected. Our medical staff will carefully remove any debris from the wound and apply antibiotics as necessary. Some people also require a course of oral antibiotics for this kind of injury.
Animal bites are another common type of wound we see at our facility. Animal bites from dogs, cats, or wildlife can cause serious infections and should be treated immediately. Your provider will clean the wound thoroughly, administer antibiotics if needed, and provide proper bandaging to prevent infection.
Wound Care at Home
In addition to treating these common types of wounds, our medical staff also provides education on wound care and prevention. We understand that accidents happen. It is really important to be prepared for them.
So, we recommend keeping a first aid kit at home. Learn and frequently review first aid techniques, such as how to stop bleeding and how to clean a wound. This knowledge can save lives and prevent serious complications.
Preventing Complications from Wound Emergencies
Remember, proper wound care is crucial for preventing complications and allowing the wound to heal properly. Don’t delay seeking medical attention if you have a deep or infected wound.
Depending on the type of wound you have, we also may ask about your tetanus vaccination status. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that can occur from cuts or puncture wounds.
Also called lockjaw, tetanus causes painful muscle contractions and difficulty swallowing. We may provide a tetanus booster shot if your vaccination is not up to date.
Wound Care at Your Urgent Care Center in Rochester, NY
At Cornerstone Urgent Care Center, our dedicated team of healthcare providers understands how important the right wound care is. So, if you or a loved one have a wound that needs attention, please come to our facility right away.
We are open seven days a week. There’s no need for an appointment. Just walk in Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm, or Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 7 pm. If you wish, use our online check-in here.
For more information about us and the services we offer to our community, call Cornerstone Urgent Care Center at (585) 207-0088.
