5 Steps to Take After an Injury

Accidents happen when you least expect them, resulting in many types of injuries. At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, our medical specialists provide the initial care for injuries that aren’t life-threatening. 

Whether you hurt your back from a slip and fall at the store or sliced a deep gash in your index finger cutting cucumbers in the kitchen, knowing what to do immediately after an injury can make all the difference in your recovery.

Here are five smart steps to take following an injury so you’re ready to handle the unexpected.

1. Pause and assess

The first thing you want to do after an injury is to take stock of your situation. Make sure you’re safe and not in any immediate danger. Evaluate your surroundings, moving yourself away from a wet floor or checking for the location of sharp objects.

Then, you want to determine the severity of your injury so you can decide what to do next.

Ask for help from those nearby.

2.  Prevent further harm

Injuries affect mobility and thinking, making you vulnerable to further damage if you’re not careful. Once you’ve moved yourself away from any danger, you want to limit movement after an accident so you don't make your injury worse.

3. Administer basic first aid

Basic first aid for an injury is vital for health and safety. For a sports injury like a fracture or sprain, you want to immobilize the body part to limit movement and get an ice pack to help with pain and swelling. For a laceration, wash the wound with water and use a clean cloth and apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

4. Seek medical care

Though you can treat minor injuries at home, getting medical care may ensure you get the right treatment for a faster recovery. 

At our urgent care clinic, we treat injuries that aren’t life-threatening, including:

• Strains and sprains
• Lacerations
• Whiplash
• Dog bites
• Fractures
• Dislocated joints
• Burns
• Concussions

We ask a lot of questions when you come in for injury care to make sure we order the right scans or tests and apply the best treatment. We want to know the details of your injury and how you cared for it before coming to the clinic. 

We also want to know about your medical history and the types of medications you take.

Our team evaluates your injury and may take X-rays to rule out a fracture. We provide immediate care to reduce pain, prevent further damage, and support initial healing. We prescribe medications and make referrals to specialists for further care if needed.

If you have a serious injury, such as a bone piercing through the skin or a deep cut that won’t stop bleeding, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for care. 

5. Follow instructions for a quick recovery

It’s important to follow your care team’s treatment plan for your injury to ensure a safe and speedy recovery. You may need to modify activity to support healing or take antibiotics to prevent an infection. Follow-up visits with specialists or your primary care provider may also be needed to monitor your progress.

Injuries can disrupt your normal routine, but taking the right steps after they occur may minimize the disruption. Our team can provide the urgent care you need to help you recover. 

Call our office in Midland, Michigan at 989-756-0055 today for immediate care. For less urgent matters, use the book online button to schedule an appointment.