Urgent Care vs Austin Emergency Center
What makes Austin Emergency Center different from an Urgent Care Clinic? And how is this different from a Hospital-Based Emergency Room? The following table shows what the state of Texas requires of the three types of facilities.
| Urgent Care | Austin Emergency Center | Hospital-based Emergency Room | |
| X-Rays | ? | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oxygen, Asthma Nebulizers | ? | ✓ | ✓ |
| Basic Onsite Lab Tests | ? | ✓ | ✓ |
| IV Fluids, Medications | ? | ✓ | ✓ |
| 24hours/day, 7days/week | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ER-Trained/Experienced Doctors | ✕ | ✓ | + / - |
| Overnight Observation | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CT Scan | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ultrasound | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cardiac Onsite Lab Tests | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ACLS, ATLS, PALS Credentialing | ✕ | ✓ | + / - |
| Pharmacist | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electricity Generator | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| EMTALA | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated with Disaster Mgmt | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Licensed/Regulated by State | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Onsite Sub-Specialists | ✕ | ✕ | + / – |
| O.R. with Anesthesiology | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Wait Times | 15 - 30 min | <5 min | 30 -180 min |