Which is Better: Hospital Emergency Departments or Freestanding ERs?
What is the difference between hospital-attached emergency departments and freestanding emergency rooms? For many patients, long lines, understaffing, and inefficient procedures make hospital ERs less appealing than freestanding ERs. At Medco ER in Plano, TX, we offer some of the best options in healthcare to address your urgent and emergent medical conditions.
No Wait Health Care
Freestanding emergency rooms often have a great staff-to-patient ratio, meaning you will have little-to-no wait time when you arrive at the facility. At Medco ER, you can expect to be shown into a private exam room within minutes upon arrival. Any paperwork will be done there and the doctor will be in shortly to see you. We’ll work to get you in and out as fast as possible.
Board-Certified Physicians
Hospital EDs make extensive use of physician assistants, CNPs, medical assistants and RNs to do much of the intake, diagnostic and testing work.
“At Medco ER, there is always a board-certified physician ready to diagnose and to treat your urgent medical conditions,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “We staff experienced emergency physicians to be available any time day or night.”
Round-the-Clock Availability
Both Hospital EDs and freestanding ERs are open 24/7, all day and night throughout the year. But hospitals close many services in the late hours. Freestanding ERs continue to offer a full range of services regardless of the hour.
Fast Testing Services
Medco ER offers instant access to testing, labs and pharmaceuticals. Our rapid-results labs have fast turnaround to let you know if you have flu, COVID 19 or other condition. Our in-house CT scans, X-rays and ultrasounds are readily available. In addition to being a time saver, this potential of having a one-stop shop for all your medical needs offers enviable convenience to patients.
No Balance Billing
Billing surprises that come at the end of treatment are never welcome after you’ve been sick or injured. At Medco ER, we don’t add to the balance at the end but are upfront about our fees when you arrive. In addition, we work for you to advocate for lower costs when possible.
Bottom Line: You Win!
In the battle of the hospital-attached emergency departments versus the freestanding emergency rooms, the patient is the winner. Competition has forced the systems to become more efficient, and that can only spell good news for you when you need prompt medical care.
Depending on the severity of your condition, freestanding ERs make a great choice when you need fast help from a board-certified physician with easy access to labs and tests. Medco ER is proud to offer some of the best medical help in the area.
Get Help Fast at Medco ER
When you need urgent or emergency care, you can rest assured that Medco ER is open 24/7 every day of the year and will get you in with little-to-no waiting time. Our board-certified physicians are ready to go to work fast to help you on the road to recovery.
Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-747-0370
Top 10 Reasons to Go to the ER
Healthcare today gives you more choices than ever before. You can go to the doctor’s office, urgent care clinic, telehealth visit or emergency room. Even with all these choices, some choose to stay home and tough it out. But there are times when the emergency room is absolutely the right choice. The board-certified physicians at Medco ER in Plano, TX, have compiled ten reasons when going to the ER is your only option.
“If you’re wondering whether or not to go to the ER, ask yourself if it is not getting better over time, if pain has you sidelined, or if there is one of the warning signs of a serious condition,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “If you answer yes to any of those points, it’s best to come immediately and let us examine you.”
Blood Loss
Whenever the body is losing blood, a trip to the ER is the right thing to do. This could include any of the following:
- Coughing blood
- Vomiting blood
- Passing blood in the stool
- Excessive bleeding from a laceration
- Bleeding from a fracture
- Uncontrolled bloody nose
Fracture or Tear
If you have an injury and you’re not sure whether it is broken, fractured, torn or just bruised, your doctor at Medco ER can help. We can X-ray the area, apply a brace, or refer you to a specialist when needed.
Warning signs include: numbness or cold in the extremity that is injured, pain when moving the limb, bleeding accompanying the fracture, bone protruding, or misalignment of the limb. For any of these symptoms, go to Medco ER immediately.
Breathing Difficulties
If you or someone you love is struggling to breathe, pulling hard at each breath, making a wheezing sound with a breath, showing blueish discoloration around the mouth or fingertips, or has chest tightness, go to the nearest ER immediately. Whether it is a complication of COVID-19, an asthma attack, COPD or another cause, breathing difficulties must be addressed as an emergency.1
Chest Pain
Sudden or growing pain in the chest, jaw, neck, arm or back could indicate a heart problem that is an emergency. Other symptoms could include:2
- Tightness in chest
- Uncomfortable fullness feeling
- Heartburn
- Squeezing feeing in chest
- Pain in one or both arms
- Cold sweat
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
Stroke Symptoms
Symptoms of a stroke can come on suddenly and unexpectedly. If someone exhibits these symptoms, call 911 immediately.2 Every minute counts.
- Confusion or disorientation
- Arm weakness
- Partial paralysis or difficulty moving
- Unexplained drowsiness
- Difficulty speaking
- Change in vision
- Face drooping
Loss of Consciousness
Any time someone has lost consciousness, whether for a short time or is unresponsive, take them to the nearest ER or call 911. Loss of consciousness accompanied by seizures should also be seen by a physician immediately.
Head Injury
If you have fallen and hit your head, been hit in the head by an object, or had a severe shaking of the head, you might sustain a head injury or a concussion. Here are some warning signs3 that require a visit to the ER:
- Pain from the injury
- Confusion or disorientation
- Loss of consciousness
- Ringing of the ears
- Sudden drowsiness or fatigue
- Vision changes
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech
Burns
If you are suffering from a burn, consider the severity. Just going by pain level alone isn’t enough since minor burns often hurt worse than major burns.4 If it covers a large area, has penetrated deep, has discolored the skin, has swollen the area or has caused blisters, a trip to Medco ER is a good idea.
Abdominal Pain
Pain in the abdomen can indicate one of several conditions. All of them require immediate medical intervention. “If you’ve experienced abdominal pain for any length of time, it’s a good idea to come in and let us check you out,” said Dr. Khan. “It could be anything from a bleeding ulcer to gallbladder stones to a cyst. With a thorough examination and imaging scan, we should be able to diagnose the problem.”
Extreme Pain
If you’re experiencing extreme pain that isn’t responding to over-the-counter medication and isn’t getting better with time and rest, your body is trying to tell you something. It’s time to go to Medco ER.
- Migraine or headache
- Back pain
- Shooting pain
- Chest pain
- Pain when eating
- Pain that takes away your appetite
- Throbbing pain
- Eye pain
- Toothache
- Stomach pain
What to Expect at Medco ER
When you go to Medco ER, you can expect to receive fast, quality healthcare with little-to-no wait time. Open 24/7 every day of the year, Medco ER gives you fast access to a board-certified physician and much of the same imaging equipment found in a hospital emergency department. Our in-house pharmacy carries rapid results labs and medications needed to treat many conditions. Try one of our two convenient locations for rapid response healthcare.
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-747-0370
- Carrollton: 2745 E Belt Line Road, Carrollton, TX 75006
Call us @ 469-840-4600
1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/shortness-of-breath/basics/definition/sym-20050890
2 https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-attack-and-stroke-symptoms
3 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594
4 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12063-burns
3 Things to Know About Your Gallbladder
A pulsing, throbbing pain on the right side of your abdomen has traditionally been considered an appendix issue, but if it is a little higher, right under the first rib, it actually may be a gallbladder attack. The gallbladder, a small, pear-shaped organ, sits quietly, tucked under the liver on your right side. When it becomes inflamed or when stones or sludge block the bile duct, it can cause a sharp and sudden pain in your abdomen, back or shoulder blades. Sometimes, it can cause you to feel nauseous or feverish. At Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, we commonly diagnose and treat gallbladder disease and gallstones.
“Gallbladder inflammation, stones or sludge can cause severe pain and can become a very serious condition very quickly,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “We can diagnose using ultrasound, CT scan and in-house blood tests and can get you the treatment you need right away.”
Causes of gallbladder disease
Gallbladder inflammation can be caused by a blocked bile duct. The gallbladder releases bile after you eat. It goes into a shared duct that the liver and pancreas also use. If stones that form in the gallbladder are released into the duct, they can get stuck there and block the flow of bile, causing the gallbladder to become inflamed and possibly even infected.1
What causes gallstones? Gallstones are possibly caused by an excess build-up of cholesterol or bilirubin, a digestive fluid.2
While gallstones are the most common cause of gallbladder inflammation, some others include tumors, abscesses, congenital defects, cancer and infection.
Gallbladder disease is on the rise
Gallbladder disease is becoming more prevalent and the median age is lowering, as well. Since it is linked to obesity and diabetes, which are also on the rise, it stands to reason that gallbladder disease is also increasing.3
Gallbladder disease can be life-threatening
“A blocked bile duct is serious,” said Dr. Khan. “The pancreas uses the same duct and when it is blocked, it starts to deteriorate. When you are experiencing severe abdominal pain, it is important to come right away to Medco ER. We are here 24/7 to help you.”
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
If you have any of these symptoms, come to Medco ER & Urgent Care right away:
- Intense abdominal pain or back pain or shoulder pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Dark urine
- Light colored stools
- Skin or eyes turning yellow or jaundiced
Get help fast at Medco ER & Urgent Care
Have you felt intermittent pain in the upper abdominal area? It is possible you have been experiencing biliary colic pain. This means you have possibly already experienced stones passing through the gallbladder and bile duct. If the pain increases or is ongoing, come in right away for quality medical care. Our ER offers almost no wait time and fast access to board-certified physicians. Open all day and night, we’re here when you need us.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
1 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15265-gallbladder-swelling–inflammation-cholecystitis
2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/symptoms-causes/syc-20354214
What You Should Know About Allergic Reactions
Allergies and allergic reactions are very common, often drastically ranging in symptoms and severity based on the allergen, genetics and your body’s natural response. When you are exposed to an allergen that your immune system sees as a threat, your body will react to protect you from what it thinks is harming you, causing allergic reaction symptoms. These allergens could be pollen, pets, foods, chemicals, or even medications. Knowing the signs of an allergic reaction and when it’s time to seek medical help is very important and could potentially save your life or that of someone you love. If you are unsure if you might be allergic to a substance, consider making an appointment with a local allergist who can help you identify your triggers safely and provide you with treatment options.
What are the different types of allergic reactions?
Depending on the substance the individual has been exposed to, allergic reaction symptoms can develop in many forms and affect different areas of the body. In severe cases, allergens can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
What is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening reaction to an allergen to which the body has become hypersensitive. Most allergic reactions don’t result in anaphylaxis, but it’s important to know the signs, as this condition can be fatal. An anaphylactic reaction can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something to which an individual is highly allergic. When anaphylaxis begins, the brain releases a flood of chemicals that start to shut down the body’s natural processes and can cause the sufferer to go into shock very rapidly.
Because anaphylaxis is rapid and life-threatening, an injection of epinephrine is essential to relax the constricted muscles around the airways and in the lungs. This injection prevents the airway from closing for a short time until the individual can be transported to an emergency room for further care. It is important to seek emergency medical care after receiving the injection because it’s possible for the recipient to have a second severe allergic reaction after the medication has worn off. If you do not have an emergency epinephrine injection, seek emergency medical help or call 911 immediately.
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis include:
- Skin reactions, including hives, itching and flushing or pale skin
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Constriction of airways
- A weak and rapid pulse
- Wheezing and trouble breathing caused by a swollen tongue or throat
- Severe shortness of breath
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Loss of consciousness
If you think you or someone you know is experiencing anaphylaxis administer an epinephrine injection and seek emergency medical help immediately.
Hay Fever:
Often referred to as seasonal allergies or Hay Fever, allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune system overacts to allergens in the air, such as dust, pollen, dander and mold. This allergic reaction is widespread and affects more than 50 million Americans each year.
Symptoms of Hay Fever include:
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth
- Runny, stuffy nose
- Watery, red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis)
Hay Fever can typically be treated with over-the-counter allergy medications, but if your symptoms become more severe, or if you have a child suffering from Hay Fever, you should see your doctor about additional or alternative treatment options.
Food Allergy:
Food allergies are caused by the overreaction of the immune system to certain foods it identifies as a threat. While triggers, symptoms and the severity of the reaction can vary from person to person, allergic reactions can sometimes be triggered by exposure to only a small amount of the food allergen. While some may experience mild or uncomfortable symptoms, others may have an allergic reaction that is far more frightening, painful and even life-threatening.
Common symptoms of a Food Allergy include:
- Tingling or itching in the mouth
- Hives, itching or eczema
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body
- Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
- Anaphylaxis
Some mild food reactions can be treated with an over-the-counter antihistamine. If the symptoms are more moderate than mild, avoid exposure to the food that triggered the response and make an appointment with your doctor. If your symptoms begin to worsen or become severe, try to stay calm and seek medical help immediately.
Insect Sting Allergy:
While it’s normal for the body to react to insect stings, there is a distinct difference between a normal insect sting reaction and an allergic insect sting reaction. The most common insect stings in the United States come from wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, honeybees and in the southern US, red and black fire ants. A typical reaction will result in pain, swelling, redness and itching confined to the sting site while an allergic reaction will cause symptoms outside of or include an extensive area around or near the sting site. A typical insect sting on the arm should not produce severe pain and swelling of the whole limb.
Common symptoms of an insect sting allergy include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling (in are of sting and sometimes beyond)
- Flushing
- Hives
- Itching
- Anaphylaxis
Although many insect sting allergic reaction symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter topical and oral medications, it’s vital that you seek medical help if you are experiencing any severe symptoms or believe you may be experiencing anaphylaxis.
Drug Allergy:
Any medication, including over-the-counter, prescription, oral, topical or herbal is capable of triggering a drug allergy. A drug allergy is not the same as a drug side effect or drug toxicity. Drug side effects are known possible reactions and can be found listed on the drug label; an overdose of the medication causes drug toxicity; and a drug allergy is the body’s immune system overacting to the medication.
Common symptoms of a drug allergy include:
- Skin Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Fever
- Swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Anaphylaxis
If you think you may be having an allergic reaction to a medication, stop taking the medication immediately and call your doctor. If your symptoms worsen or become severe, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Allergic reactions of any severity can happen at any time. Medco ER & Urgent Care is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and patients can usually be seen by a physician within minutes. With facilities in Plano and Frisco, you can rest assured that help is right around the corner should an allergic reaction occur. Our board-certified physicians and highly-trained nurses are prepared to help you in any situation at any time. If you think you may be having an allergic reaction, please call our Frisco location at 469.392.4100, our Plano location at 469.392.4000, or walk-in at any time.