Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital issued the following announcement on Aug. 27
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, it's more important than ever to know your options for care.
As always, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department for life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
To help keep our region's emergency departments from being overwhelmed, please reserve the emergency department only for emergencies.
If you need a COVID-19 test, visit an urgent care center like Carilion Clinic's VelocityCare.
This video and the infographic below list the types of injuries and symptoms that are best served at an urgent care center or in the emergency room.
Save and share them, and scroll through for more detail about your options for primary care and virtual visits as well.
Primary Care
Primary care is your front door to care. From wellness checkups to minor illnesses, your provider is the one who knows you—and your medical history.
This is important for everyone, but especially those with chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity.
You can also schedule an appointment for minor illnesses such as cold and flu symptoms, recurring pain and routine lab work. At Carilion, some primary care locations offer weekend hours. Contact your primary care provider for:
- Managing chronic conditions
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Recurring pain
- Routine lab work
- Specialist referrals
If you prefer to receive care safely from your home, video visits may be right for you. Benefits include reduced travel to and from appointments, less time off from work and convenient scheduling. To request an appointment, simply contact your provider’s office. All you need is your smartphone or a computer that has a webcam, microphone and speakers.
- Safe and comfortable
- Thorough, high-quality care
- Case-by-case basis
- Requires smartphone or computer with audio/video
But what if you have a more serious injury or illness that’s not life-threatening; you can’t get into your normal provider, or you don’t have a personal provider? That’s where urgent care centers like Carilion Clinic’s VelocityCare come in. They bridge the gap between routine care and emergency care by treating things like allergic reactions, earaches, minor burns, cuts and wounds, sprains and fractures.
DOT physicals and other occupational medicine needs are also available.
VelocityCare is staffed by board-certified physicians and advanced care practitioners. They offer X-rays and lab services on-site, without requiring an appointment. Urgent care video visits may also be an option for some health issues. Visit urgent care for:
- Allergic reactions
- Earaches
- Minor burns, cuts and wounds
- Sprains and fractures
- Localized allergic reactions
- Sports physicals
Most health care needs can be met through primary, video or urgent care visits. In true emergency situations though, there is no substitute for the emergency department.
If you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Carilion Clinic’s Emergency Departments offer access to a wide range of specialists and can transfer more serious injuries to our Level 1 Trauma Center.
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe bleeding
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Intense abdominal pain
- Sudden numbness, weakness or confusion
- Severe headache or head injury
And you can rest assured that wherever we see you, we’ll see you safely.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital
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