Emergency Room vs Urgent Care: Where to Go?

When it comes to medical emergencies, Texas Emergency Care Center understands how scary the experience can be. At our Pearland, TX, emergency room, we diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, some minor and some more severe. We often get asked by patients whether or not they should receive emergency care or if another facility may be better. Today, we’re discussing the differences between an emergency room and an urgent care clinic and where you should go based upon your condition.

Why Emergency Care?

When it comes to emergency rooms, they are designed to handle medical emergencies that cannot wait to be treated. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if your condition is an “emergency.”

Is the pain tolerable?

We understand that no one likes to be in pain. However, if the pain is tolerable, you may be better off with an over-the-counter medication and a visit to an urgent care clinic.

Is it life threatening?

While being sick or injured is not fun, it doesn’t always mean your life’s in danger. Generally, emergency rooms are to treat conditions which are or could be life threatening. Conditions such as chest pain, trouble breathing, or stroke symptoms are certainly something to be concerned about. A cold, however, is not.

Is something broken or bleeding?

Have you been injured? It is important to understand that certain injuries can be an emergency if you have broken something, are excessively bleeding, or cannot operate as normal. Seek emergency care.

Why Urgent Care?

When it comes to an urgent care clinic, they are designed to handle situations a primary care manager would typically handle. When deciding whether urgent care is right for you, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Is it an emergency?

As mentioned above, an emergency typically refers to a condition that could potentially be life threatening. Conditions such as a cold, the flu, or even a migraine do not qualify as life threatening. We recommend seeking urgent care.

Visit Our Emergency Room in Pearland, TX, Today

Have you determined that your condition is an emergency? Visit Texas Emergency Care Center right away. We are available 24 hours a day for any of your emergency care needs.