Is Urgent Care the Same as a Walk-in Clinic

Walk-in clinics are primarily designed for minor health concerns, such as colds, strep throats, minor cuts, simple ear infections, or routine vaccinations. These clinics, often found in pharmacies or retail locations, typically do not have advanced diagnostic tools or the ability to provide extensive treatments. They are usually staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants and may not always have a physician available.

Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions offers a broader range of services than a traditional walk-in clinic. In addition to treating minor illnesses and injuries, our urgent care center is equipped to handle more complex, yet still non-life-threatening, conditions. We have intravenous (IV) therapy capabilities to provide rapid and effective diagnosis and treatment. Our team includes experienced physicians alongside nurse practitioners and physician assistants, ensuring that you receive a higher level of care.

Particularly unique to Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions is our ability to administer IV fluids and medications, which allows us to treat dehydration, migraines, certain infections, and other conditions needing infusion therapy—all in a comfortable outpatient setting.

While both urgent care centers and walk-in clinics offer convenient access to medical care for non-emergency situations, Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions provides a higher level of care and a wider range of services than walk-in clinics. If you or your loved ones need prompt, expert attention for moderate illnesses or injuries, or require infusion therapy, our urgent care center is here to help.

At Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions, we understand that when you’re not feeling well, you want fast, compassionate care you can trust. Our clinic is specifically designed to treat non-life-threatening conditions such as minor injuries, infections, or common illnesses quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to feeling your best as soon as possible.

Unlike hospital emergency rooms, which must prioritize the most critical and life-threatening cases through a process called triage, Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions typically sees patients on a first-come, first-served basis. That means for most minor medical concerns, our patients experience significantly shorter wait times—often just a few minutes to about an hour, depending on how busy we are at the time.

Emergency rooms are the right place for severe or potentially life-threatening symptoms, but for non-emergency issues, Urgent Care is usually able to provide much faster service and a more convenient experience.

At Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions, we are equipped to provide a wide range of diagnostic services to quickly evaluate and manage many common medical concerns. When you visit our clinic, you can expect prompt access to essential tests such as strep throat, influenza testing, urinalysis, pregnancy tests, and blood glucose checks. In addition to our laboratory services, on-site X-ray imaging allows our team to assess bone fractures, joint injuries, and certain chest conditions such as pneumonia. For cardiac concerns, we provide electrocardiograms (EKGs) to evaluate heart function. Depending on your needs, we may also offer limited ultrasound services.

While our urgent care center provides extensive diagnostic capabilities, we want our patients to know that some advanced imaging, may require referral to a local hospital or specialist. If further evaluation is necessary, our experienced medical staff will coordinate your care and ensure you receive the specialized testing you need.

Above all, we are dedicated to delivering fast, accurate, and compassionate care for a broad range of non-life-threatening medical issues, so you can get answers and start feeling better as soon as possible.

Yes, you can typically receive a prescription during your visit to Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions if it is medically appropriate. Our clinic is staffed by experienced, licensed healthcare professionals who can diagnose a wide range of illnesses and injuries. During your appointment, our provider will assess your symptoms and if necessary, perform diagnostic tests to determine the most effective treatment plan.

If your condition requires medication such as antibiotics for an infection, an inhaler for asthma, or other necessary prescriptions, our medical team can provide you with the appropriate prescription. Please note that, like most urgent care centers, Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions follows strict guidelines regarding the prescribing of certain medications. For example, we are generally unable to prescribe controlled substances (such as opioid painkillers) or medications for chronic conditions that require ongoing management and close monitoring.

For ongoing or long-term prescriptions, we recommend following up with your primary care provider or a specialist. To ensure you receive safe and effective care, please let our team know about any medications you are currently taking and provide a thorough description of your symptoms. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 26077 Nelson Way, Unit 104, Katy, TX 77494. We serve patients from Katy TX, Brookshire TX, Park Row TX, Cinco Ranch TX, Fulshear TX, Pecan Grove TX, and surrounding areas.