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
Is it a Sprain or a Strain?
A sprained ankle, strained wrist, sprained thumb, twisted knee or pulled muscle can be the result of a slip, fall or trip. It doesn’t take much to roll an ankle – sometimes just a misstep off a path or sidewalk, a slip on a wet rock, or a stumble over an obstacle in your path. Falling can injure your wrist, thumb or fingers. Playing sports can strain a hamstring, arm or hand.1
At Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, our board-certified physicians are experienced in diagnosing and treating strains and sprains and making sure the bone wasn’t injured. “Sprains and strains are extremely painful and need medical care to ensure they heal properly,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan.
What’s the difference between a strain and a sprain?
Often used interchangeably, strains and sprains are actually very different because they involve different parts of the joint.
- A strain is an injury to the muscles or tendons around a joint. These can be pulled or torn.
- A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that hold bones together to make a joint stable. Ligaments can be stretched or torn.
Symptoms of sprains and strains
Sprains can exhibit:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Unable to use the joint
Strains can exhibit:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle cramps
- Painful use of joint or inhibited range of motion
Treatment Options
“Most often, sprains and strains are treated with immobility, rest, elevation, ice, compression with bandages or splints, over-the-counter pain relievers, and anti-inflammatories,” said Dr. Khan. “However, some ligament tears or muscle tears can be so severe they require extensive treatment. Surgery, rehabilitation and physical therapy may be needed to stabilize the joint.”
“When you come in to see us at Medco ER & Urgent Care, we can personalize a treatment plan that’s customized to your injury and ensure your healing has started on the right path,” said Dr. Kahn.
Prevention Tips
Preventing a strain or a sprain is crucial if you are playing sports or do a lot of hiking or biking. Pay attention to body mechanics to make sure you don’t overtax an ankle when running or twist a knee with a sudden turn. Use proper lifting techniques.
Here are some other tips that can help keep your joints injury-free: 2
- Choose the right shoes – wear supportive, properly fitting shoes and replace them often
- Choose the right clothes – wear clothes that allow free movement
- Spend time warming up – before you begin your activity, do plenty of stretches, elevate your heart rate, and warm up your joints
- Use a balanced approach to fitness – cross train with cardio, strength, flexibility and endurance
- Use a daily approach to fitness – rather than doing it all on one day, do a little something each day to improve your fitness level
- Stretching is key – after your muscles are warmed up, do slow and careful stretches without bouncing a joint
- Spend time cooling down – walk off the heat from your exercise or activity and allow your joints to stabilize
- Drink water – water supports good joint health and helps keep you from becoming weak and sick from heat exhaustion or heat stroke which can lead to a fall
Get help at Medco ER & Urgent Care
Don’t just try to tough it out if you’ve strained or sprained an ankle, thumb, wrist, knee or other joint. Come to Medco ER & Urgent Care for the proper treatment to help speed healing and prevent reinjury. You’ll be seen within minutes of arrival and our in-house imaging equipment can aid in rapid diagnosis. We’re here 24/7 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://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains#tab-risk
2 https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/
Is it Appendicitis?
A sharp, piercing side pain is obviously appendicitis—or inflammation of the appendix—but what if your pain is more of a general throbbing, vague abdominal pain, or upset stomach? One of the greatest emergency room challenges is figuring out what is causing your abdominal pain. At Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, we are experienced in pinpointing the source of your abdominal pain and finding the treatment that’s right for you.
“Appendicitis doesn’t always manifest in a simple way,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “But our board-certified emergency medicine physicians are able to use our in-house diagnostic tools to find the root of the pain.”
Causes of Appendicitis
While the cause of appendicitis may not always be clear, here are some common reasons:1
- Blockage of the opening of the appendix
- Enlarged wall tissue in the appendix caused by an infection in gastrointestinal system
- Disease such as inflammatory bowel disease
- Parasites
- Growths in the appendix
- Matter that clogs the appendix
- Abdominal trauma
Symptoms of Appendicitis
- Pain or discomfort in abdomen, often near the belly button
- Pain localized on lower right side
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal tenderness
- Loss of appetite
- Malaise
- Stiff abdomen
Diagnosis of Appendicitis
To diagnose your abdominal pain to determine if it is appendicitis, your physician will do a physical exam including checking for abdominal stiffness and the tendency to guard or react when pressed. A rectal or pelvic exam may be performed to locate the source of the pain. A blood test may show an elevated white blood cell count which may mean you have an infection. A urine test will eliminate a urinary tract infection or kidney stone that would be causing pain. Finally, an imaging exam, such as a CT scan, X-ray or ultrasound may be used in diagnosis.2
Treatment for Appendicitis
“There is really only one treatment for appendicitis – an appendectomy,” said Dr. Khan. “If the appendix hasn’t ruptured, it is a straightforward procedure that can be done as a minimally invasive surgery to remove the appendix. Recovery should be rapid and antibiotics may be prescribed to ward off infection. However, if the appendix ruptured, the surgery and recovery will be more extensive.”
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Appendicitis is a serious medical condition. If left untreated, sepsis may occur, which is life-threatening. If you are experiencing pain or have any of these symptoms, come to Medco ER & Urgent Care right away:
- Abdominal pain or back pain
- Intense pain on your right side
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills
Get help fast at Medco ER & Urgent Care
With little-to-no wait time, you can get right into an exam room and be seen by a board-certified physician within minutes. At Medco ER & Urgent Care, we offer you top-quality care from physicians rather than PAs, CNPs or assistants. Our ER is equipped with the imaging and lab equipment needed to quickly diagnose and to treat your abdominal pain. Open 24/7 every day of the year, 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://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/appendicitis/symptoms-causes
2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549
The 7 Biggest Advantages of a Freestanding ER Over a Hospital ER
Have you ever wondered how a freestanding emergency room differs from an attached hospital ER? The answers may surprise you.
In recent years, freestanding ERs have skyrocketed in popularity in the greater Dallas Fort Worth region as people realize the landslide of advantages freestanding ERs offer over hospital ERs. Since freestanding ERs can address almost all common emergency conditions that you or your family may encounter, the benefits are worth noting.
Here are the top 7 advantages of a freestanding ER:
1. No wait time
Emergencies don’t wait and neither should you. Waiting in a crowded, possibly germ-filled waiting room is a chore that the freestanding ERs have eliminated. Within minutes upon your arrival, you can be shown to a private room. A physician will be immediately alerted to your needs. Our locations are squeaky clean and we always keep patients at safe distances from one another.
2. More face-to-face time with the doctor
Less time waiting and more time spent talking with the doctor is one of the most important benefits of going to a freestanding ER. “Our patients are our top priority. We make sure we can spend all the time you need to make sure you get some of the highest quality care available,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora.
3. Board-certified physicians standing by
Unlike hospital ERs, you won’t be seen by a physician assistant (PA), medical assistant (MA) or a certified nurse practitioner (CNP). At Medco ER & Urgent Care, you have immediate access to a board-certified physician with years of experience in treating emergency conditions.
4. On-site imaging equipment and labs
Our fast-result labs are available on-site to aid in proper diagnostic and treatment. Getting the answers right away for your medical questions can help speed you on the way to recovery. Cardiac labs are available to diagnose urgent heart conditions. Imaging equipment such as X-rays, EKG and ultrasounds are in-house for fast and accurate diagnosis of your medical condition.
5. Efficient billing
We accept most insurance plans at Medco ER & Urgent Care. Our billing department understands the ins and outs of a myriad of insurance benefits and billing requirements. We will work with you to provide all the help you need to understand your bill and the next steps to take. We do not bill patients for the difference between in-network and out-of-network reimbursement, so there are no unwelcome surprises in your bill.
6. Concierge service
Our hospitality service offers complimentary beverages and snacks. The person who drove you or accompanied you will appreciate our clean waiting room stocked with refreshments. If appropriate, you may also enjoy snacks and a sports drink to unwind and rehydrate during your visit.
7. Courtesy call directly from the doctor after your ER visit
You will be pleased to receive a follow-up phone call from your doctor after you visit our emergency room. We want to track your progress and make sure you are on your way to feeling better.
Which freestanding ER should I go to?
When it comes to receiving fast, friendly and excellent medical care, it’s important to choose the freestanding ER with a stellar reputation. At Medco ER & Urgent Care, we’re proud of our top star ratings that showcase our quality healthcare services.
When you are dealing with an emergency or urgent condition, you need the freestanding ER that’s readily available. “We’re open 24/7 every day of the year to make sure you have the quality care you need at just the right time,” said Dr. Vora.
Where can I find a Medco ER & Urgent Care?
For fast medical help, Medco ER & Urgent Care is available in two convenient locations close to home and work. Visit us any time at:
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road. Call us @ 469-392-4000.
- Frisco: 5600 Eldorado Parkway across from McDonald’s and Costco. Call us @ 469-392-4100.