Freestanding ERs v. Urgent Care Clinics

Urgent Care ClinicsUCCs are independent facilities, functioning outside of a hospital, which can provide care for certain medical conditions. While Urgent Care Clinics are typically not open 24 hours a day, ten are generally open later than most primary care physicians’ offices.In general, UCCs can treat:

• Minor cuts and lacerations
• Breathing difficulties like sinus infections and minor asthma problems
• Eye irritation and redness
• Low-grade fevers, flu, and colds
• Sore throats and coughs
• Skin rashes or small infections

Since UCCs are not required to have doctors on staff, what they might be able to test for is dependent on the facility and who is staffed there. Some might only be staffed by experienced nurse practitioners and physician assistants, while others might have an emergency physician on staff, but not having this guarantee of resources and medical expertise can make UCCs a resource to research before you decide if you should be going there.

Freestanding Emergency Rooms

FSERs are state-licensed facilities which are required to provide 24-hour emergency medical care that is comparable to a hospital ER. While there might be extra requirements that differ from state-to-state, this definition tends to mean that FSERs are open around the clock, even on holidays, and have licensed physicians working at their facilities. They are often led by emergency room doctors and can offer emergency care for patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, and can guarantee the resources to treat conditions like:

• Broken or fractured bones
• High-grade fevers and infections
• Acute pain conditions (like migraines or abdominal pain)
• Heart attacks and strokes
• Allergic reactions
• Burns
• Major cuts and lacerations
• Bug and animal bites
• Head trauma and concussions

In addition to being able to offer treatment for the above, FSERs have state-of-the-art diagnostic technology inside their facilities, like CT-scans, X-rays, and fully-functioning laboratories. To put it simply, an FSER can do everything that a hospital ER can, but it is independent of a large hospital. They are fast and convenient, like UCCs, but with the capability to treat more severe and emergent conditions. On the surface, urgent care clinics and freestanding emergency rooms might seem to be the same thing, but these facilities are, in fact, very different. UCCs are the perfect place to go when your child has a low-grade fevers or someone has gotten a minor injury, but they cannot guarantee emergency care. FSERs, on the other hand, can guarantee emergency treatment for all injuries and illnesses, minor and major. Both provide convenient care to local communities, but only FSERs are open every hour of every day, holidays included, with physicians available to treat patients in medical emergencies.Wylie ER is a freestanding ER, like the ones discussed today. Our clinical services page can tell you more about what we can provide for your community.

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This blog is written by Maggie Berardo, content writer at Nutex Health.Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Wylie Emergency Room or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.]]>