The Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) recently launched its Urgent Care Clinic in a bid to provide immediate assistance to patients with non-critical conditions such as coughs, colds, and sore throats.

In an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE'S STRAIGHT TALK, Dr. Mys Punzalan-Tirol, head of Ancillary Services of CSMC, said the new department will provide care for patients with minor illnesses or injuries that are not life-threatening.

"If you need fast, walk-in treatment for conditions that need attention right away but are not severe enough for you to have a trip to the [emergency room] (ER), then our Urgent Care Clinic is certainly a good option for you," Punzalan-Tirol said.

Certain conditions that would require someone to seek attention at the Urgent Care Clinic include back pain, muscle pain, or eye irritations.

"Or if you feel like you might have [a urinary tract infection]. All these conditions affect you and you might want to see a doctor, but if you do not want to wait for your next doctor's available appointment, then you can come visit us at the Urgent Care Clinic and we'll take care of it," she added.

How fast is fast, you ask? Punzalan-Tirol said if it's something that needs to be seen within the next 48 hours but not immediately, then those are the conditions they are catering to in their new department.

Even though they just started operating last month, the physician said there are already quite a number of patients, but she assured that "there are processes in place" so new patients will not have to wait.

"You will be seen right away," she added.

Punzalan-Tirol also clarified that patients could just walk in—no appointment needed—and seek medical attention at the Urgent Care Clinic.

In the event a patient needs to be checked in at the ER, Punzalan-Tirol said they won't have to worry as the clinic is right next to it.

"If you come in as a new patient, you will be triaged, and if your concern is for the Urgent Care Clinic, you will be directed there straight away. There are doctors, nurses [there]. Our healthcare team is on hand," she assured.

The Urgent Care Clinic also does laboratory tests and x-rays if deemed necessary, she added.

The clinic also provides fit-to-work clearances or pre-employment screenings as well as medical consults and succeeding vaccinations for animal bites.

New health trend

Punzalan-Tirol said this is the new health trend now as ERs get quite filled up.

"Because Urgent Care addresses the non-emergency conditions, this helps us streamline our own processes and own cases at the ER," she explained.

"This ensures that those who need immediate care will get it."

CSMC's Urgent Care Clinic is open from Monday to Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.