Complete Care is redefining what emergency medical treatment looks like in Westlake and Lakeway. As a state-licensed, full-service emergency center, they pair the speed and personalized touch of a private practice with the advanced capabilities of a hospital ER.

First-time visitors are often surprised by what the facility offers.

"Because we're so convenient, efficient, friendly and we take our time with patients, people sometimes perceive us as a private practice or an urgent care," said Dr. Daniel MacAlasdair, Medical Director at Complete Care's Westlake and Lakeway locations. "That's not the case. We're a full-service ER, open 24 hours a day. We always have an emergency medicine physician and at least one emergency nurse [e on site] and full-time radiology staff."

Complete Care's facilities are equipped with a laboratory, CT imaging, ultrasound and X-ray machines and an on-site pharmacy, allowing providers to diagnose and treat complex medical issues immediately.

Doctor in white coat with stethoscope stands by a window in a hospital room, hands in pockets.
Dr. MacAlasdair

Treating everything from stroke symptoms to minor illnesses

Many people associate emergency rooms solely with heart attacks or traumatic injuries, but Complete Care treats a much broader range of medical concerns, including:

  • Chest pain

  • Stroke symptoms

  • Illnesses such as influenza and COVID-19

  • Shortness of breath

  • Fractures

  • Severe abdominal pain

  • Trauma from car accidents

  • Lacerations

  • Dehydration

Multi-story medical building with dental spa, integrative medicine, and emergency care signs, with cars parked out front.
Complete Care Westlake

When to seek care and why speed matters

Whether experiencing critical symptoms or an unexpected injury, seeking medical evaluation promptly can prevent serious complications.

“For chest pain or stroke [symptoms], there is very clear clinical guidance that suggests intervention is needed as quickly as possible to preserve heart or brain function, but there’s also much more of a continuum of that,” Dr. MacAlasdair said. “If you have abdominal pain that ends up needing surgery, IV antibiotics or admission to the hospital, you would want to know that as soon as possible. You may have a ruptured appendicitis or an abscess that develops from infections like diverticulitis.”

He also cautions against putting off care for lacerations, a common issue patients tend to delay.

"Every hour matters on a laceration repair," Dr. MacAlasdair said. "The longer you wait, the more likely an infection will occur. Once it's been 16 to 18 hours, it's no longer safe to repair the wound. We have to let it close on its own because it is probably colonized with bacteria."

Curved reception desk in modern office lobby with pendant lights, dark cabinets and open doorway to back rooms.
Complete Care Lakeway

Inside the treatment process

Rather than spending hours in a crowded waiting room, Complete Care’s patients are placed in a private treatment room shortly after checking in, to begin immediate testing.

“We can start an IV, run lab work and have the results back in about 15 minutes,” Dr. MacAlasdair said. “For example, if someone comes in with significant abdominal pain or chest pain and needs a comprehensive workup for that, we would be in the room discussing results in less than an hour from when they walked in.”

Medical office waiting room with reception desk, green leather chairs, wall-mounted TV, coffee station and wood floors.
Complete Care Westlake

While many patients can be treated and discharged after evaluation, others require additional monitoring. Complete Care has dedicated observation rooms where those patients can receive IV fluids, antibiotics, anti-nausea medication and continuous monitoring for several hours.

"Our goal is to keep people out of the hospital," Dr. MacAlasdair said. "We really believe that's an important service."

When hospital admission is required, Complete Care physicians coordinate directly with local facilities to provide a seamless transfer.

They first discuss the options with the patient, ensuring they are confident in their treatment plan. Then, they consult with the admitting physician, share diagnostic imaging and lab work, and arrange ambulance transport.

VIK Complete Care brick medical building with cars parked outside under a blue sky with clouds.
Complete Care Lakeway

Becoming a part of the Lakeway and Westlake communities

Dr. MacAlasdair has practiced emergency medicine for three decades, including years in major hospital systems across New York, California, Arizona and Texas, but practicing at Complete Care has brought a special experience for him.

“Over the past several years, the most rewarding part of my career has been getting to be a trustworthy part of this community,” Dr. MacAlasdair said.

He has cared for many of the same family members more than once. This continuity and connection with the community is uncommon in larger hospital systems, and it has made serving the Lakeway and Westlake area especially meaningful.

For those experiencing a medical emergency, the Complete Care team is here to serve you compassionately and quickly.

To learn more about Complete Care, visit www.visitcompletecare.com today.

Medical office reception area with a nurses' station, computer desks, hallways with patient rooms, and framed wall art.
Complete Care Westlake

The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.