Opening Statement:
When you, a family member, the individual you are a caregiver for, a close friend is sick, or injured do you really know where to go or to take someone to? It is very important to know where to go. It might be to the primary care doctor’s office, nearest urgent care location, or to the emergency room at your nearest hospital location. Listed below is some helpful guidelines and suggestions just in case if something unexpected happens to you or a loved one:
Primary Care
Your primary care physician is usually your first point of contact for your health care needs for example:
1. Sore throat, fever, or cold symptoms
2. A headache that lasts more than 2 or 3 days
3. Diarrhea or vomiting
4. Regular checkups
5. Scheduled screenings
Urgent Care Facility
For injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening when you can’t see your primary care doctor:
1. Muscle strain or sprain
2. Minor cut or burn
3. Minor rash or infection
4. Sore throat, fever, or cold symptoms
Hospital Emergency Room Department
For medical emergencies that threaten a person’s life, limbs, or organs:
1. Chest pain
2. Difficulty breathing
3. Uncontrolled bleeding
4. Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision
5. Migraine headache lasting more than three consecutive days
6. Loss of consciousness
7. Suicidal thoughts or change in mental status
8. Broken bone
9. Major cut or burn
10. Stroke symptoms, including sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, confusion,
difficulty speaking, and loss of balance/coordination
Closing Statement:
It is extremely helpful to keep handy various special phone numbers, exact location addresses, lists of your medications, and doctors that you see. Everyone should have at least one well care visit a year. Make sure you can call someone to help you if you can’t drive yourself or use public transportation to get medical help when your primary care physician is not available.
Source of Information: Various Google Searches and Printed Publications
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!
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