What Is Urgent Care?  

Urgent care centers provide medical treatment to patients on a walk-in basis, meaning that no appointment is required to be seen by a healthcare professional. Unlike an emergency room, however, an urgent care center does not serve patients with life-threatening health concerns. Most urgent care centers have extended hours and focus on treating patients with common acute conditions like colds, sinus infections, and urinary tract infections, as well as minor injuries like joint sprains and cuts with controlled bleeding. If you want prompt medical care for an everyday health concern, visiting an urgent care center is a good idea.

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What are the advantages of going to an urgent care center?

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Urgent care centers offer several advantages to patients. While some people would prefer to receive medical treatment from their established primary care physician, these professionals are often booked for days in advance and typically only work during regular business hours. This can be inconvenient, as you may find it difficult to take off of work or school to squeeze in an appointment before 5 p.m. Most urgent care centers, on the other hand, are open during evenings as well as on the weekends and do not require appointments.  

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Of course, you can always go to an emergency room if you want immediate medical care, but this will come at a high price. ERs tend to have substantially higher costs than urgent care centers – a fact that can be especially frustrating if you don’t even have a true medical emergency. And because ERs prioritize patients with more serious health concerns, there’s a good chance you’ll be waiting a few hours to be treated.  

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When should I go to the emergency room?

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It’s important to note that some illnesses and injuries should be treated in an emergency medical setting. As a general rule of thumb, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you or someone around you fear loss of life, limbs, or vision. More specifically, someone should head to the ER if he or she:

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• Has a wound with uncontrolled bleeding

• Has a traumatic injury, such as a gunshot wound

• Had a near-drowning incident

• Is having difficulty breathing

• Is having chest pain

• Has lost consciousness

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Your trusted source for local urgent care

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Urgent care centers provide a convenient and affordable way for people to receive timely medical attention, but not all urgent care practices are created equal. Unfortunately, some walk-in clinics are associated with rushed service and subpar care, so be sure to choose your urgent care center wisely! If you live in Houston, Texas, you can confidently turn to Lifeline Urgent Care. Here are just a few reasons why: 

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• Our practice is led by experienced physicians who are board certified in infectious disease, family medicine, and internal medicine. 

 

• We proudly provide affordable rates to make high-quality urgent care accessible to everyone. We also offer a money-saving membership plan that gives self-pay patients and those with high insurance deductibles access to all of our services for one low annual or monthly fee.

 

• Our urgent care center is modern, sleek, and comfortable, and our staff works hard to ensure you have a positive experience with us.  

 

• Most patients are seen in about 15 minutes after checking in and are back to their busy schedules in less than an hour.

 

• We offer a full spectrum of diagnostic care under one roof, including digital X-ray imaging, EKG testing, clinical lab testing, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  

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Furthermore, unlike some urgent care centers, Lifeline Urgent Care also provides important wellness services like flu shots, school/sports physicals, annual check-ups, and more. Our physicians even provide primary care services to patients with ongoing health concerns like high blood pressure and allergies, as well as occupational health services to local businesses.

Visit us today

 

If you or a member of your family needs urgent care for a non-life-threatening health concern, Lifeline Urgent Care is here to help. Our physicians cater to patients ages six months and older. We encourage you to visit our Houston center during the week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or on the weekend between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. No appointments are required, and we offer a convenient online check-in system to help streamline your visit. We look forward to helping you feel your best!