El Paso Urgent Care Center

I’ll start by saying that I am not from El Paso, so maybe I was not prepared for this sort of patient service. I arrived at EPUC to get treated for a peritonsillar abscess. I travel extensively for work, and had not received my new insurance card prior to leaving San Diego, so I expected to pay out of pocket. No biggie. After explaining my symptoms and previous treatments, I was given a shot and a few prescriptions for basic antibiotics and ibuprofen. Being a veteran (USMC) I’ve taken my fair share of ibuprofen, and I know it does little to nothing for me. I was given 600mg of ibuprofen when my temperature read over 101. The nurse acted surprised when it had only dropped .2 degrees 30 minutes later. I explained that I was leaving the country in 2 days (middle east) and that my goal was to be able to hydrate myself within that time frame before I left (it’s 99 degrees in El Paso right now) since I had been unable to consume fluids regularly. I requested a low grade narcotic so I could stifle the pain long enough to drink water, or an IV to replenish my fluids. I was told that this facility does not prescribe narcotics, however, the sign in the lobby read «does not dispense narcotics.» There is an understandable difference between dispensing and prescribing. I brought this to the attending PAs attention, to which her response was, «well we only prescribe narcotics to our regular patients.» How many regular patients do you have attending urgent care? The Dr. said he would make a call to a friend of his that was an ear/​nose/​throat specialist to see if what he was recommending was correct. Eventually I left EPUC, without any word from the specialist, and still in immense pain after an unreasonable amount of waiting. While I do not intend to report this facility, any person (s) with severe and immediate needs should not go here. If this is typical for El Paso, then disregard my frustration.

Good doctors, never a long wait! I bring my kids everytime they need a fast medical evaluation. Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Behrens are among the best and few that I trust in El Paso.