Even though Delaware is a small state geographically, there are still several top-rated hospitals. Three of the best include Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover, and Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. In addition to these major hospitals, there are urgent care facilities across the state.

Health Issues in Delaware

Delaware has an interesting topography that keeps the state cooler than most of the rest of the United States. It is located along the Atlantic Coast and has the lowest mean elevation in the entire United States. Additionally, much of the state is characterized by swampy ground. These conditions present interesting health concerns to Delaware, such as mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects.

Healthcare in Delaware

Before the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, 90 percent of Delaware's residents had health insurance. Soon, healthcare coverage will be available to all residents with options for seeing a general practitioner or visiting urgent care facilities. The options are supposed to be low-cost and based on need.

Urgent Care in Delaware

In addition to excellent hospitals, patients have the option of choosing urgent care facilities for treatment, instead of an emergency room. Urgent care facilities are equipped to handle non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, such as minor bone fractures, dislocated bones, minor lacerations, and flu-like illnesses. There are urgent care facilities all across Delaware that give patients quick and easy access to care when a trip to the emergency room isn't necessary. This keeps the hospitals less crowded and healthcare costs down overall in the state.

Specific urgent care and walk-in clinic services available in may include STD testing flu shots, school physicals and many other valuable services