Knowing when to go to an emergency room versus urgent care in Houston can be confusing. This guide clarifies the differences and helps you make informed decisions about your health.
Life-threatening conditions require immediate attention at an emergency room. These include:
- Alcohol poisoning
- Blood in stool
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Confusion
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Drug overdose
- Head injuries
- High fever
- Nausea or diarrhea
- Seizures
- Severe allergic reactions
- Severe burns
- Severe headaches or dizziness
- Suspected heart attack
- Stroke
- Trouble breathing
Urgent care facilities in Houston, like CareNow®, handle non-life-threatening medical issues that need prompt attention. These include:
- Bug bites, stings, poison ivy, hives, or rashes
- Colds, earaches, sore throats, mild fevers
- Cuts and scrapes needing stitches
- Flu
- Minor bone and joint injuries
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Sprains and strains
- Urinary tract infections
- X-rays
Beyond immediate care, urgent care centers in Houston offer various services, such as:
- Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
- Flu vaccinations
- Meningitis vaccinations
- Pregnancy tests
- Pre-employment physicals
- Occupational medicine
- School physicals
- Sports physicals
CareNow® also provides occupational medicine services for businesses in the greater Houston area, including employee drug testing, on-the-job injury care, and medical screenings.
CareNow®, affiliated with HCA Houston Healthcare, offers convenient urgent care in Houston with extended hours, free Wi-Fi, and coffee. Their web check-in feature minimizes wait times. You can expect the same high-quality care HCA Houston Healthcare is known for nationwide. If your condition worsens while at an urgent care facility, you can be transferred to one of HCA Houston Healthcare’s 15 emergency rooms in the area.
