Urgent care centers in general make an overwhelmingly positive impression on the general public. Online reviews show high approval of centers based on different factors. Even though this is the dream of most service providers, in critical matters like health, having a single negative review is enough to persuade a consumer not to move ahead with a particular healthcare provider. Based entirely on online reviews, let us take a look at some of the reasons why an urgent care facility would receive a negative rating.
Why you would choose an urgent care facility?
Medical care facilities go through a rigorous accreditation program like the Urgent Care Certification and the Urgent Care Accreditation programs to ensure that they offer services comparable to those of hospitals. The perks of visiting an emergency care facility are that they are cheaper and faster than emergency rooms. For budget-conscious patients (which most likely would include all patients) this is huge bonus.
If it's so good, why are there any negative reviews?
From a sample of online reviews posted by consumers themselves on service review sites like Yelp.com, urgent care facilities with the lowest ratings had 3 out of 5 stars for most states. Similar ratings can be found on Angie's List, Yellow Pages and Consumerreports.org. A list of common complaints for emergency care facilities include:
Walk in/ Walk out - The urgent care policy of treating patients quickly, combined with high volumes of patients can leave a consumer feeling rushed and not satisfied with the service they received. Examples include these reviews by Anthony A. and Sabeen A. on different facilities. Though aware of the fast treatment policy, some patients feel the actual time spent with the practitioner was too little for their comfort.
Billing Nightmares - One recurring complaint of reviewers across several states is 'billing issues'. A review on Ripoffreport.com leaves a sour taste in the mouth for patients of some walk-in centers. One review on an urgent care facility in MN suggests posting up prices for services before treatment, so patients are not confused when the bill arrives.
Mixed Records - Treating John Doe for Jane Doe's illnesses would definitely land a practitioner in court. Despite this fact, some urgent care facilities are subject to bad recordkeeping. This review for a facility in TX has enough for a negligence lawsuit to go on. And this review on Ripoffreport.com would cause another facility to lose more dollars in claims.
Bad Manners - There's nothing like rude customer service to fire up a sick patient. This review on the Yellow Pages site triggered by inefficient medical aides would cost the attending physician a few potential patients. The negative reviews of this facility on Google shows how important it is to maintain friendly relationship with patients
This list captures some, but not all, of the highest recurring complaints in negative reviews for care facilities from the point of the patient.
Treat me right!
Most walk-in treatments conclude within the span of an hour or two. Urgent care facilities have one shot at impressing the patient. As shown by the points made above, most of the negative reviews stem not from poor medical treatment, but rather how the treatment was offered to the patient and the courtesy or lack thereof. It seems all staff members have a job to do in a walk in care clinic and they must do it with respect.