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
Burns – Types & Treatments
A burn can occur in a split second. Burns can be caused by scalding water, hot burner, open flame, electrical connection, chemical spill, radiation, or even too much time in the sun that results in painful or even debilitating burns. Each year, 1.1 million people are treated for burn injuries.1 At Medco ER & Urgent Care in Plano, TX, our board-certified physicians are here all day and night to provide quality care for burns and other injuries.
“Burns are especially painful and can be hard to judge the severity at home,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “That’s why we recommend you come in and have us evaluate the injury and provide rapid treatment to try to help reduce the pain and speed recovery.”
Types of Burns
First degree burns are the least severe and involve only the outer layer of skin, or epidermis and will cause redness and possibly minor blisters. Sunburns, grease spatters and coffee spills are examples of causes of first degree burns. They can be very painful but usually heal within several days without going to the doctor. If these burns cover more than 3 inches, consult with a physician.
Second degree burns involve both the epidermis and the next layer, the dermis. These burns swell rapidly and have more blistering and redness than first degree burns. They also can look glossy or weep fluid. Seek immediate medical attention for these burns.
Third degree burns are serious burns that require immediate medical attention. They involve the epidermis, dermis and fat layer. The burn area can look dry and leathery and tan, white, red or black in color. The skin may look charred. These burns are so deep that the patient may not feel how serious it is. Take the person to the nearest ER for emergency treatment.
Treatment of Burns
At home: Clothing and jewelry should be immediately removed from the injured area since burns swell quickly and circulation or breathing could be restricted. Cool water or compresses can give some pain relief. Elevate the wound.
At the ER: your physician will treat the burn with antibiotics and follow protocol to keep the body supplied with hydration and concentrated nutrients needed for healing. Your physician may discuss how to start the process of receiving skin grafts and a splint may be added to keep the area from moving during early treatment. Later, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other therapies may be recommended to encourage healing.
Burn Safety
Prevention is key when considering injuries as painful and serious as burns. Children and older adults are at greater risk for being injured by burns or scalds. That’s why it’s important to spend some time considering how to best use safety precautions in your home. Practice safety measures when cooking, carrying hot liquids, filling bathtubs and serving food to children. Adjust the hot water heater to safe temperatures. Keep matches and lighters out of reach and be careful with candles and cigarettes.3
Teach children fire safety basics, such as Stop-Drop-and Roll, and practice your evacuation plan. Most fire stations have workshops for children to learn fire safety practices.
Keep hot irons, hair straighteners, etc., out of the reach of children. Cover outlets and put away electrical cords not in use. Keep children away from grills, outdoor fires, radiators and space heaters.
Enjoy taking the family to city fireworks and avoid doing fireworks at home. Install working fire alarms and fire extinguishers.
Get fast help at Medco ER & Urgent Care
Even with the best precautions in place, burns still happen. When someone receives a burn injury, come immediately to Medco ER & Urgent Care for quality care. We’re always open and ready to help when you need it.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
1 https://www.cdc.gov/masstrauma/factsheets/public/burns.pdf
2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
6 Things You Need to Know About Urinary Tract Infections
A mild twinge may soon bloom into a bout of painful, frequent, bloody and unproductive urination known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI is a painful condition caused by bacterial growth anywhere in the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra, although it may also be called a bladder infection or kidney infection if it is located there. At Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, we can diagnose and treat a UTI before it becomes too painful.
“Most women and many men will experience at least one UTI during their lifetime,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “Fortunately, it is one of the easiest conditions to diagnose and to treat.”
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection
Symptoms can be anywhere from mild to severe. They may or may not include:1
- Pain or burning during urination
- Persistent sensation of needing to urinate without urine present
- Frequent urination of small amounts
- Discolored urine – dark, pink, deep yellow, or brownish
- Cloudy urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain in women
- Burning pain
- Back pain
- Side pain
- Fever, chills
- Nausea, vomiting
Causes of UTI
A UTI is caused by the presence of bacteria in the urinary tract.2 A common cause is bacteria entering from the rectum to the urethra. Sexual activity may also introduce bacteria that can cause a UTI.
Risk Factors for UTI
You are more likely to develop a UTI if you:3
- Are sexually active
- Are a woman after menopause
- Have a condition that blocks the urethra, such as an enlarged prostate
- Have kidney stones
- Are a woman who has used a diaphragm or spermicides for birth control
- Have diabetes
- Have had a UTI in the past
- Have used a catheter
- Are immunocompromised
Prevention of UTI
While a UTI can be hard to prevent, there are some things you can do to help reduce your risks. For babies and children, make sure they are receiving enough water every day. Teach girls the proper way to wipe – from front to back. For adults, make sure you are also drinking enough water each day. Cranberry juice may be beneficial. Urinating after sexual intercourse may help purge the urethra of bacteria. Change from polyester underwear to cotton and wear loose-fitting, breathable pants. Minimize or eliminate sprays, douches, powders or soaps that may irritate.
Diagnosis of UTI
Your physician at Medco ER will have you give a urine sample for testing. In some cases, a cystoscopy, ultrasound or CT scan may be required if you have been experiencing repeated UTIs.
Treatment for UTI
Treating a UTI is almost always successful with a course of antibiotics. Patients need to take the antibiotics according to the prescription to fully eradicate the infection.
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
“A urinary tract infection must be treated by a medical professional. At-home remedies never work,” said Dr. Khan. “They may slow the bacterial growth but they won’t fully reverse the infection. It’s not an invasive or difficult treatment, so come to Medco ER right away and get the help you need to get over the UTI.”
If left untreated, a life-threatening condition of widespread infection, called sepsis, may occur. Or, the kidneys may be permanently damaged. If you are experiencing painful urination or have any of the above symptoms, come to Medco ER & Urgent Care right away.
Get help for your UTI at Medco ER & Urgent Care
It doesn’t take long for a UTI to become painful. When you start to notice symptoms of a UTI, come to Medco ER & Urgent Care right away. We’re open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We will make sure you are seen by a board-certified physician right away. Our in-house rapid results labs can verify diagnosis and you can soon be on your way to feeling like yourself again.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447