Beginning September 1, 2018, the Sealy ER will transition from an ER facility to an urgent care center.  The move came about after responses from our community. An urgent care center will better meet the needs of the residents by allowing Medicare/Medicaid and most commercial insurances to be treated.

The difference between urgent care and emergency rooms is the severity of the health problem. If the condition is life-threatening, you should go to an emergency room, less threatening injuries or illnesses are easily treatable at an Urgent Care Center.  Here’s a list (though not exhaustive) of things that each facility is more appropriate for:

Urgent Care

·        Minor fractures
·        X-rays
·        Back pain
·        Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
·        Minor headaches
·        Blood work
·        Bumps, cuts and scrapes
·        Fever (ER may be more appropriate for infants and toddlers though)
·        Ear or sinus pain
·        Vaccinations
·        Cough or sore throat
·        Lab services
·        Animal bites
·        Stitches
·        Sprains and strains
·        Mild asthma
·        Foreign objects in the eyes or nose
·        Allergies
·        Rashes and minor burns
·        Burning with urination
·        Eye irritation, swelling or pain
·        Minor allergic reactions
·        Cold or flu symptoms

Emergency Room

·        Chest pain
·        Difficulty breathing
·        Stroke
·        Head trauma
·        Severe bleeding
·        Loss of vision

The change to the Sealy ER will only affect the area slightly as the facilities hours will now be from 7am – 9pm every day of the week and, while not 24 hours, that’s still most of the day and still 7 days a week.  Emergencies can still be seen by the facility; however, the protocol will be to stabilize and transport patients to where as before they might have been able to be treated entirely in the ER.

Below is a personal address by Dr. Krishnaswamy discussing the transition from the Sealy ER to the Sealy Urgent Care:

Floating Vimeo Video