15 Min. Rapid Covid-19 Testing/30 Min. & 2 Hr. RT-PCR Covid-19 Testing

Check-in
Menu

victoria er

Blur hospital

Can You Go to the ER for Urgent Care?

,

When you require medical attention, how do you choose where to go? Specifically, how do you decide if your injury or ailment warrants a visit to Victoria ER or a trip to urgent care?

In most occurrences, it’s recommended that an individual goes to the emergency room when experiencing some sort of medical emergency. A medical emergency often refers to chest pains, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a head injury. Yet, you can also choose to go to an emergency room for non-life-threatening medical issues, such as sprains, minor cuts, skin rashes, and fever.  

There are myriad benefits to choosing Victoria ER over an urgent care facility whenever you’re feeling unwell or showing signs of pain. Take a look!

 The Benefits of Choosing Victoria ER

There is no care like the immediate, personalized, and all-around amazing care you’ll receive at Victoria ER.

To start, Victoria ER is always open—and we mean always! You can drop by Victoria ER 24/7, 365 days a year, even on holidays and weekends. Better yet, at Victoria ER, the wait time is five minutes or less. That’s rarely—if ever—the case at an urgent care facility or other emergency rooms in the area.

Additionally, unlike urgent care facilities, Victoria ER offers an on-site clinical lab and state-of-the-art equipment, including the following: EKG, CT scan, X-ray, and ultrasound. As such, no matter the injury or ailment—major or minor—you’ll be treated as promptly and efficiently as possible.

Victoria ER also provides a range of services that may not always be available at an urgent care facility. These services are:

  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Clinical Services
  • Pediatric Care
  • Imaging and Laboratory
  • Occupational Medicine
  • Observation Care

Unfortunately, urgent care facilities don’t have the ability to treat patients overnight. Luckily, that’s not the situation at Victoria ER, where 23-hour observation care is available.

Finally, and most importantly, urgent care facilities don’t have trained, board-certified ER physicians on hand—but Victoria ER does!

In fact, Victoria ER is part of the Victoria community, it gives back to the economy by staffing from the community and building partnerships with local businesses and vendors. The staff also participates in and supports multiple events that benefit Victoria. In short, the entire team at Victoria ER is dedicated to providing our local community with access to fast, quality, and concierge-level emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

However, it’s not just Victoria ER’s bedside manner or community presence that distinguishes it from urgent care facilities or other emergency departments, but its commitment to excellence in patient care and satisfaction, too.

So, while the choice is yours where to go for medical attention, why wouldn’t you choose Victoria ER? Don’t settle for anything less than the highest standard in emergency care, which is what you’ll find at Victoria ER. At Victoria ER, your emergency is OUR priority!

 

sugar cubes on yellow background

What to Do if Someone is Having a Diabetic Emergency

, , , , ,

Anyone with a diabetic in their lives knows it’s essential to be on high alert as a symptom can become a medical emergency in no time. The Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) counts diabetes and complications from the disease as the seventh highest cause of death in the United States. 

While that number is terrifying, it’s important to remember the steps you can take to help someone get their symptoms under control and to know when to call an ambulance. It’s also a good idea to do regular checks with any diabetic kids to make sure their pumps work and that they have glucose tablets ready to grab should anything go wrong. 

When things do go bad, there’s a clear set of steps you can follow to get the situation under control. 

A diabetic emergency: What it looks like and what to do

Common diabetic emergencies include hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, hyperglycemia or high blood sugar, and Diabetic Ketoacidosis or DKA. Other problems can also arise from diabetes, but this article will focus on these key issues as they’re incredibly common. 

sick child and parentHere’s a quick breakdown of each. 

Hypoglycemia – What to look for

  • Weakness 
  • Shakiness or nervousness
  • Irritability
  • Confusion and dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Sweating and chills with pale, clammy skin
  • Tingling in and around the mouth
  • Headache
  • Seizure
  • Coma

If you see any combination of those symptoms you can help. 

What to do

  1. Give the person 15mg of carbohydrates – a glucose tablet, some fruit juice, a sweet, or a little bit of sugar
  2. Wait 15 minutes before testing blood levels again
  3. If blood sugar levels read below 70 mg/dl, try another 15mg of carbohydrates and another rest period before doing a second test
  4. Once blood sugar levels test above 70 mg/dl, it’s important the diabetic person eat a meal
  5. If the symptoms persist, call an ambulance

If the person is conscious but too weak to eat a meal, someone needs to stay with him or her. Place a small amount of sugar or honey in the diabetic’s cheek and have a phone nearby should you need it. If the patient faints call 911 immediately.

Hyperglycemia – what to look for

A case of high blood sugar can normally be managed at home, but extreme swings in blood sugar levels require a visit to the doctor. 

Here’s how to know if you or someone in your family has hyperglycemia:

  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Extreme thirst
  • Constant need to urinate
  • Fatigue

What to do 

For a mild case, some basic lifestyle changes can help keep hyperglycemia in check. Smaller portions at mealtime, a more vigorous exercise routine, and a checkup with the doctor to adjust insulin levels can all help the patient feel better. 

However, if the symptoms get worse or start to include dry mouth, difficulty breathing, or the person’s breath has a fruity smell, he or she needs an ambulance right away. 

DKA – what to look for

Caused by a lack of insulin in the body, DKA makes the body switch from glucose to fat as a source of fuel. That creates a threatening level of ketones and turns the blood acidic. It’s a serious problem and one you need to know how to recognize quickly. 

Here are the signs:

  • Dry mouth
  • Extreme thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Constant need to urinate
  • Dry or red skin
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Confusion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Breath smells fruity

Anyone with a combination of these symptoms needs an ambulance right away. You can keep a ketone testing kit nearby to check levels regularly so that you can be proactive. If you see that the blood tests positive for ketones and blood sugar levels are at or above 240 m/dl get them to a doctor immediately. 

Come see us at Victoria ER

The staff at Victoria ER helps diabetics manage their condition 24/7, no matter what. If you ever feel you or someone you love may be in danger, come see us for treatment. In the meantime, make sure that plenty of testing materials are available at your house and that you have supplies like glucose tablets or juice nearby to help diabetics in your house stay safe.

thanksgiving dinner table

Food Safety Tips for the Holidays

, , , , ,

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the holidays! It’s safe to say that no one wants to spend the holidays sick. While some illnesses are simply out of our control, there are many others that we can avoid, including food poisoning.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, C. perfringens is a strain of bacteria associated with cooked foods left out at room temperature and is to blame for nearly a million cases of foodborne illnesses in the United States each year. Outbreaks are commonly seen in November and December, right around the holidays.

As such, at Victoria ER, we’ve put together a list of safety tips for you to consider to help prevent food poisoning and illness this holiday season.

First and foremost, make sure to consistently wash your hands (whether you’re cooking or not). You’ve undoubtedly heard it many times over the past couple of years, but it’s true: Keeping your hands clean is a great way to stay safe and healthy. Additionally, you’ll need to keep all cooking surfaces clean to stop cross-contamination. 

Further, you’ll want to:

  • Thaw turkey/ham/all meats in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water, or the microwave
  • Keep all foods separated before and during cooking (juices can drip onto other foods)
  • Do not consume raw dough or batter
  • Cook food thoroughly and use a food thermometer
  • Use pasteurized eggs instead of raw eggs

If you do happen to experience any sort of issue, illness, or injury, Victoria ER is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week—even on holidays and weekends. We conveniently and effectively offer a comprehensive range of emergency medical treatments, including clinical services, imaging and laboratory, occupational medicine, pediatric care, and more.

The entire team at Victoria ER wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday. Remember, we’re here if you need us! 

child laying in crib

Understanding SIDS

, , , , , ,

SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, refers to the sudden, unexpected, and unexplained death of a healthy baby. The following article isn’t meant to frighten or disturb you, but to supply you with the necessary information needed to help keep your child safe.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, about 3,400 sudden and unexpected infant deaths occur in the United States. SIDS deaths frequently take place in the winter months, and boys are more likely to die from the syndrome than girls.

Unfortunately, there are no symptoms or warning signs. Yet, it is comforting to know that SIDS rates declined considerably from 130.0 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 33.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019.

Because there are no symptoms or warning signs, there is no guaranteed way to prevent SIDS, yet it is possible to keep your baby safer during sleep by following these tips:

  • Place your baby to sleep on his or her back
  • Keep the crib as bare as possible, avoiding excess blankets, pillows, and toys
  • Don’t overheat your baby  
  • Consider having your baby sleep in your room

Additionally, it’s comforting to know that at Victoria ER, our skilled, trained, and board-certified physicians provide the ultimate pediatric care for you and your family. We’re available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing the care you need and deserve.

We offer a warm, inviting environment for your child, including a special exam room decorated with calm, peaceful colors to further ensure your little one feels happy and secure during his or her visit.

After all, when your child feels sick or gets injured, you should have a caring, professional team by your side to give you answers and relief—that’s what you’ll find at Victoria ER.

young child wearing mask

When is an Allergic Reaction an Emergency?

, , , , , ,

Today more than ever, allergies affect our kids’ health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) counts over 5.6 million kids as allergic to pollen and more than 4.8 million with food allergies. 

As parents, it’s up to us to be vigilant and keep our kids safe from anything that might cause a severe allergic reaction. More and more kids travel with an epinephrine auto-injector, or EpiPen, to keep a reaction under control. 

However, some reactions require much stronger treatments. Your child may need medical intervention if his or her allergy is too intense and triggers a life-threatening case of anaphylaxis, essentially a hypersensitivity reaction.

Common Allergens

wheat

One of the most common allergens is pollen. Also known as Hay Fever, this looks like a sneezing fit combined with an asthma attack. The floating spores make kids wheeze, itch, or experience some swelling in their mouth and throat, and possibly break out into a rash. 

The ragweed plant and its relatives, like chamomile, can also trigger intense allergic reactions. Pay attention to any plants that produce high amounts of pollen, have toxic leaves or flowers, or kill surrounding plants, as they tend to trigger reactions in kids sensitive to pollen. 

Wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts can all trigger reactions after they’re eaten. Anything from an itchy throat to diarrhea and vomiting can be a sign that a child is allergic to a specific food.

You’ve likely heard horror stories about people who have allergies to bee stings, (about five percent of the population have abee deadly allergy to bee stings), but what about cockroaches? This common pest can cause asthma attacks. Dust mites, mosquitoes, bed bugs, and other common bugs can also cause redness, itchiness, and swelling.

When to see a doctor

Be aware of any symptoms in your child the moment he or she reports feeling ill. Your child may wheeze, feel an itchy mouth or throat, or develop a rash. Normally, you can treat these symptoms with over-the-counter medication. If symptoms don’t die down or appear to get worse after your child takes treatment, it’s time to go to the hospital. 

Extreme reactions may include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea 
  • Chest pain
  • Heart palpitations
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Extreme swelling in the face or throat

Tell your doctor about anything your child ate or may have touched before the reaction occurred. Also, let your doctor know if you have already tried an EpiPen or other medications. 

The staff at Victoria ER helps children manage allergic reactions 24/7, no matter what. If you ever feel your child may be in danger, come and see for assistance. In the meantime, have your child tested for any potential allergies and learn more about how to manage them from your pediatrician. 

Rapid Testing at Victoria ER - COVID-19 - 24 Hour Emergency Center

COVID-19 Rapid Test Available at Victoria ER

, , , , , , , , , 0

Victoria ER 24 Hour Emergency Center now has the capability to perform Rapid COVID-19 Testing. As Coronavirus cases continue to rise, we would like to better serve Victoria, Texas, and the surrounding community by introducing the Sophia SARS Antigen FIA technology to test for COVID-19. This new technology reduces the risk of exposure by diagnosing patients within 15 minutes, allowing for the most optimal development for COVID-19 results by receiving close to real time feedback from the collection of nasal cavity swabs.

Every patient who receives COVID-19 Rapid Testing at Victoria ER will know whether they are positive or negative within 15 minutes of the Sophia SARS Antigen FIA technology running their nasal specimen. Quicker results allow those who are tested to take serious precautions immediately after receiving results, which in turn will help our community to stay COVID-19 safe.

Testing Process at Victoria ER 24 Hour Emergency Center:

  • No Appointment is needed to be tested for COVID-19. Please visit us when it is convenient for you and your loved ones as we are open 24 hours a day.
  • Upon your arrival to Victoria ER, communicate the reason for your visit to Registration using our contact-free voice system (located to the right of the entrance double doors).
  • You will be required to answer screening questions and complete paperwork from the comfort of your own vehicle.
  • Our staff will evaluate you through our Curbside Screening Service and test you appropriately for COVID-19.
  • The nasal specimen collected will be assessed through our on-site laboratory and you will receive your rapid COVID-19 results with 15 minutes.

Please feel comfort in knowing that in order to keep our Victoria, Texas community safe and our staff safe, all patients who are rapid tested for COVID-19 are directed through our Curbside Service. There is no need to wait in a crowded waiting room as our staff evaluates you in the comfort of your vehicle to ensure there is minimal contact between you and others. Victoria ER is honored to offer Rapid COVID-19 Testing in Victoria, Texas, and the surrounding areas.

You can find more information about the COVID-19 Rapid Test, PCR COVID-19 Test, COVID-19 Antibody Testing, and our Curbside Services here.

Victoria ER is available day or night for every emergency you or a loved one may be going through. Experience the concierge care and no wait time for every visit. Please call us at 361-214-3813 with any questions regarding our protocols, or with questions regarding your medical safety. Because information about COVID-19 is constantly updating, you can find current details and resources at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Clinical Services in victoria

Victoria ER’s Autumn Outreach Events

, , , , , , , 0

As October came to an end, Victoria ER was as busy as ever with not one, but two, community outreach events. On October 26th, we were proud to host Victoria ER’s 3rd Annual FREE Flu Shot Drive as well as our first annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month Event. With two events happening at once, Victoria ER was packed with members of our community, and we couldn’t have been prouder of the outpouring of support we received.

The 3rd Annual FREE Flu Shot Drive began at 11am, where Victoria ER offered free flu shots for anyone in need. Our nursing staff was ready, giving flu shots to adults and children of all ages to keep our community healthy this flu season. This is an event we hold every year and provides countless Victoria natives the resources they need to keep the flu at bay. To find out more information about this year’s flu season and how important a flu vaccine is for your family, check out the Center for Disease Control’s page on Influenza here!

Our second event was the first of its kind. Victoria ER launched an Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month gathering at our facility, to raise awareness and support of this disease in our community. We were joined by the Crossroads Guardians of Hope, who brought ‘Debbie’ the pink firetruck to our facility in support of patients and families who are dealing with breast cancer. Attendees were invited to sign Debbie in honor of those fighting cancer and share inspiring messages with one another. Victoria ER signed Debbie too, and offered all of our guests

refreshments, ER tours, and special giveaways at the event.

Whenever Victoria ER hosts events like these, we are happy to see such positive reactions. Victoria is a community that values its public health, from free seasonal vaccines to rallying in support of cancer awareness. For all of the people who came out to Victoria ER on October 26th, we are grateful for your support and proud

to be a part of this community. If you’re interested in more of Victoria ER’s outreach events, then follow our Facebook page for updates and announcements.

 

 

Nutex Health, Inc. supports you and your family’s health. Come visit Victoria ER or any one of our concierge-level freestanding facilities for the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Imaging & Laboratory in victoria

Ashley Homestore’s 5th Annual “A Hope To Dream” Event

, , , , 0

As the school year begins, Victoria ER is proud to look back on one of the biggest charity events of this summer, the Ashley Homestore’s 5th Annual “A Hope To Dream” Program on July 31st. For the third year, Victoria ER was honored to be involved with this event to help prepare Victoria area children for their new school years.

Every year, Ashley Homestore hosts a large fundraiser to support local families by giving children brand new twin bed sets, mattresses, bedframes, and bedding. The funds for this project are raised throughout the year, and in the summer before school begins, Ashley Homestore hosts “A Hope To Dream” and announces which children in their community have won new bed sets. Victoria ER has partnered with this event for three years, and this year we were excited to join in by preparing new backpacks pre-packed with school supplies for children in our area.

At this year’s “A Hope To Dream” Program, local Victoria businesses partnered with Ashley Homestore as well, to help donate new items to this impactful drive. Sheila Kilgore, Victoria ER’s Director of Marketing, and Dr. Kevin Denton, Victoria ER’s Medical Director, were there, packing and delivering backpacks to families in-person. “This is my third year taking part in this event,” Sheila Kilgore said. “It is always so much fun and so heart-warming to see the kids it is benefitting. A new bed isn’t want most people think of as a back-to-school drive, but for children in need, these beds are so important.” A new mattress and bedframe can be expensive, but vital things for children to get proper sleep.  “My favorite part,” Sheila continued, “Was getting to show one little girl her new bed and all of the donated school supplies we had gathered for her. She was so happy!” Ashley Homestore donated 50 complete bed and mattress sets to children in the Victoria community on July 31st.

 

In addition, local businesses, like Victoria ER, donated stuffed backpacks to participating families, with school supplies, new shoes, socks, and even basebell tickets. At Victoria ER, we love to give back to our community, which is full of so many generous, admirable people, and we look forward to future events, like Ashley Homestore’s “A Hope To Dream” Program. Our emergency room is open 24/7 with concierge-level medical care for adults and children alike, should any family in Victoria be in need.

Nutex Health, Inc. supports you and your family’s health. Come visit Victoria ER or any one of our concierge-level freestanding facilities for the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Load More