Urgent care vs. Emergency room: Where should you go?
When you’re feeling sick or hurt, deciding where to go for care can be confusing. Should you go to urgent care, or is it better to head straight to the emergency room? Knowing the difference can save you time, money — and possibly even save your life.
What is the ER for?
The ER is meant for serious, life-threatening emergencies. Our hospitals have the full range of equipment, specialists, and life-saving tools needed for the most critical situations.
In addition to our hospital-based emergency rooms, our HCA Houston ER 24/7 freestanding emergency care centers serve as an extension of our HCA Houston Healthcare hospitals. They are staffed by board-certified emergency room physicians and nurses with experience treating emergent injuries and serious medical conditions. Our FSERs and ERs are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.
Seek immediate medical attention in the ER if you experience any of the following:
- Suspected heart attack
- Suspected stroke
- Trouble breathing
- Severe allergic reactions
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Deep wounds with heavy bleeding
- High fever
- Uncontrolled nausea, diarrhea or dehydration
- Suspected poisoning
- Drug/alcohol overdose
What are urgent care clinics?
For minor injuries and illnesses, urgent care clinics can be better choice than an ER. Our network of CareNow® Urgent Care clinics treat a wide range of non-emergent medical issues, with care provided by trained specialists.
Urgent care clinics are a good option when your regular primary care physician’s office is closed or you can’t wait for an appointment, and your condition requires immediate attention but isn't severe enough to warrant an ER visit. Common reasons to visit a CareNow® Urgent Care clinic might include:
- Acid reflux
- Bug bites or stings
- Burns (minor)
- Cold or flu symptoms
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Cuts or wounds
- Ear infections
- Earaches
- Eczema
- Fevers
- Migraines
- Rashes or hives
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Sore throat or strep throat
- Sprains or strains
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Warts
Caring for families in the Greater Houston area when they need us most
As healthcare continues to evolve, we understand your need for high-quality, convenient options for care, diagnosis and treatment. That’s why HCA Houston Healthcare is committed to expanding access to emergency care across our region – because when seconds matter most, every moment counts.
HCA Houston Healthcare has over 30 emergency care locations across the Greater Houston area.
Find an emergency room near you.
Call 911 or go to the ER for heart attacks, head injuries, seizures, prolonged or high fevers, obvious broken bones, or possible broken bones in neck, back, hip or leg.
Go to an urgent care clinic for flu shots, cold or flu symptoms, serious cuts, stiches, sprains, X-rays or routine tests, exams and vaccinations.
Call your doctor for common illnesses, routine tests, shots or vaccinations, health exams or other non-life-threatening situations.
Do not take chances with your health. If you have any doubts about your situation, go to the ER.