Houston Methodist Emergency Care

At our conveniently located emergency care locations, we offer:

  • Board-certified emergency doctors and nurses
  • On-site laboratory
  • Full-service X-ray, CT and ultrasound
  • Private treatment rooms

 

If you are experiencing a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, please call 911.

 

Find a Location Near You

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I go the ER?

If you have symptoms of heart attack or stroke or feel that your life or significant injury to a body part is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

What services are offered in an emergency room (ER)?

Houston Methodist Emergency Care Centers and Houston Methodist Emergency Departments are open 24/7/365 and provide the full spectrum of medical services to all patients who need emergency assistance, including:

 

  • Board-certified emergency doctors and nurses
  • On-site laboratory
  • Full-service X-ray, CT and ultrasound
  • Private treatment rooms

 

*If you are experiencing a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, please call 911.

 

How do emergency rooms differ from urgent care centers?

Emergency rooms are for serious issues that may be considered medical emergencies or are life-threatening. Urgent care, on the other hand, is for injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening. It’s important to know where to go to get the care you need before you’re sick or experiencing an emergency. Read our blog article to better understand which health issues or symptom warrant a trip to the ER and which can be treated at an urgent care center.

What is a medical emergency?

It is a medical emergency if waiting to get care could be dangerous to your life or a part of your body.

What conditions typically require a visit to the ER rather than urgent care?

Life-threatening emergencies can include:

 

  • Stroke symptoms
  • Choking
  • Breathing problems
  • Head injury
  • Neck/spine injuries
  • Electric shock
  • Severe burns
  • Poisoning
 

Who is seen first in an emergency room?

Emergency rooms care for the sickest and most severely injured people first; this is known as triaging. If your symptoms get worse, let someone know immediately.

Are there emergency care facilities open near me right now?

Yes, emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Houston Methodist Emergency Care Centers and Houston Methodist Emergency Departments are open 24/7/365 and provide the full spectrum of medical services to all patients who need emergency assistance. We offer:

 

  • Board-certified emergency doctors and nurses
  • On-site laboratory
  • Full-service X-ray, CT and ultrasound
  • Private treatment rooms

 

*If you are experiencing a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, please call 911.

Know When to Go: ER vs. Urgent Care

 It’s important to know where to go to get the care you need before you’re sick or experiencing an emergency. Read this helpful article to understand when you should to go to the emergency room versus when you should visit a local urgent care facility.

 

Know Where to Go to Get the Care You Need

Whether it’s an emergency, a sinus infection, skin rash or stye, Houston Methodist offers a variety of ways to get the care you need quickly. See below for a comparison of some of our care options:

Emergency Room

Head to the emergency room for serious, life-threatening medical emergencies, such as:

 

  • Stroke symptoms
  • Choking
  • Breathing problems
  • Head injury
  • Neck/spine injuries
  • Electric shock
  • Severe burns
  • Poisoning
Virtual Urgent Care

Our providers can see you virtually and on-demand through the MyMethodist app for the following conditions:

 

  • Acne
  • Allergies
  • Back Pain
  • Cold or flu
  • Cold sores
  • Constipation
  • Coughs
  • COVID-19
  • Diarrhea
  • Fevers
  • Headaches
  • Heartburn
  • Minor skin infections
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pink or red eyes
  • Rashes
  • Sinus infections
  • Sore throats
  • Styes
  • Sunburns
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Urinary tract infections (women)
  • Vaginal yeast infections

     
Same Day Clinic

You can schedule same-day or next-day appointments with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant for these conditions:

 

  • Acne
  • Abdominal pain
  • Allergies
  • Cold sores
  • Cold or flu
  • Coughs
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Fevers
  • Headaches
  • Heartburn
  • Joint sprains
  • Minor skin infections
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pink or red eyes
  • Rashes
  • School and sports physicals
  • Sinus infections
  • Sore throats
  • STD testing
  • Styes
  • Sunburns
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Urinary tract infections (women)
  • Vaginal yeast infections
Orthopedic Injury Clinic

Get specialized orthopedic care from our highly trained doctors and staff for unexpected injuries such as:

 

  • Acute orthopedic injuries
  • Fractures and broken bones
  • Injured tendons
  • Minor dislocations
  • Painful or swollen joints
  • Sports injuries
  • Sprains and strains
  • Torn ligaments
Primary Care

Make an appointment with your primary care provider for the following:

 

  • Minor health concerns
  • Preventative and routine care
  • Screenings and vaccinations
  • Managing health conditions (diabetes, asthma, heart disease, etc.)
  • Referrals to specialty care