How Express Care/Walk-In Clinics Help Reduce Unnecessary ER Visits

How Express Care/Walk-In Clinics Help Reduce Unnecessary ER Visits

Express Care or walk-in clinics play a key role in reducing unnecessary Emergency
Room (ER) visits.Here’s a breakdown of how they help:

Providing Immediate, Non-Emergency Care

Many ER visits are for conditions that could be treated elsewhere. According to a study by Truven Health Analytics, nearly 71% of ER visits are unnecessary or avoidable, dealing with issues like:

• Minor infections

• Cold and flu symptoms

• Sprains or strains

Walk-in clinics treat these conditions faster and more affordably than ERs, improving patient outcomes and reducing wait times.

Avoidable Emergency Department Visits: A Growing Concern

2. Extended Hours & Convenient Locations

One reason people go to ERs is their 24/7 availability. However, many walk-in clinics now offer:

• Extended weekday hours

• Weekend availability

• Accessible locations near neighborhoods and retail areas

This makes care more convenient and eliminates the need to go to the ER for non-urgent issues.

3. Lower Costs for Patients and Health Systems

Emergency room visits are costly. According to the National Institute for Health Care Reform, the average ER visit costs $1,300–$2,000, while most walk-in visits cost under $200.

Benefits of using Express Care:

• Lower out-of-pocket expenses

• Reduced strain on Medicaid/Medicare

• Controlled healthcare spending across systems

4. Reducing ER Overcrowding

By redirecting non-emergency patients, Express Care clinics:

• Free up ER staff and beds for true emergencies (e.g., strokes, heart attacks, trauma, etc)

• Shorten ER wait times

• Improve triage efficiency and quality of care in emergency departments

5. Better Patient Education

Walk-in clinics often educate patients on:

• When to use urgent care vs. the ER

• How to manage chronic illnesses or recurring symptoms

• Where to go for follow-up care or specialist referrals

This education empowers patients and helps prevent repeat ER visits.

6. Integration with Health Systems

Many Express Care centers are integrated into broader healthcare networks, allowing:

• Access to electronic health records (EHRs)

• Seamless referrals to primary care or specialists

• Consistent follow-up, which ERs typically don’t provide

Example: The Cleveland Clinic in Parma, Ohio, is part of the Cleveland Clinic health system. It offers connected urgent care services that automatically sync with the patient’s medical history and health records, ensuring continuity and faster, more accurate diagnosis and treatment.

This kind of integration makes it easier for patients to transition from urgent care to ongoing treatment if needed, without repeating tests or explaining their history over and over again.

✅ Checkpoints: When to Use a Walk-In Clinic vs. the ER

Final Thoughts

Walk-in clinics are not a replacement for the ER but a strategic partner in ensuring the right care is given at the right place and time. With their convenience, lower costs, and growing integration into health networks, they offer a sustainable solution for non-emergency care that benefits both patients and the healthcare system.

Quick Tip:

If you’re ever unsure where to go, many health systems offer 24/7 nurse hotlines or virtual consults to guide you to the right place.