vinegarAt times, it seems like not a week goes by without someone in your family needing medical care.
You wake up with a fever. Your toddler has an earache. Your teenager sprains an ankle.
There are many healthcare options out there, but where should you turn?
It all depends on the severity of your symptoms, and sometimes a pharmacy is simply your first stop for seasonal allergies, COVID-19 testing, etc. But if you do need to get in touch with a health care provider, here's how Finger Lakes Community Health patients know where to contact them first.
First call: My doctor at FLCHIf you or a loved one is ill and need medical attention, consult with your family doctor first (we often offer same-day appointments). This is where you'll have the easiest access to all of your medical records, and we already handle your health insurance, making the process easier. Your family doctor knows you, and often your family, well and can create a treatment plan that takes your health history into account.
Other benefits of contacting your doctor first:
• If you become ill during the week and your primary care physician is not available to see you that day, we may be able to refer you to another FLCH provider.
• If you have internet access and a cell phone or computer, we can also set up virtual visits via telehealth.
• If you are away from home but still in our area, you can receive care at another FLCH health centre and all your records will be available to you.
• In most cases, visiting your family doctor will be the cheapest option.
Connect with medical professionals outside of business hours:
If you need medical attention outside of FLCH Health Centre's normal opening hours, such as at night or on weekends, FLCH offers an on-call provider, an after-hours telephone service. You can contact a healthcare provider over the phone to discuss your concerns and receive advice on what to do next. For example:
• You have just started a new medicine and are having an adverse reaction to it.
• If you are a new mom and your baby is not doing well.
When to go to emergency care:
In some cases, your best option may be to go to your local urgent care center, which is open nights, weekends, and holidays and sees patients in person. Not all urgent care centers have the same capabilities (some can take x-rays, others can't), but they can usually provide treatment for:
• Fever.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Minor injuries such as muscle strains and cuts.
• Allergic reactions.
• Urinary-tract infection.
• Sinusitis or ear infection.
• Covid-19 (and testing).
Be sure to check if your insurance will cover you so you don't get hit with an unexpected bill. Also, keep in mind that urgent care centers don't have your medical records, so you may be asked lots of questions about your health history, and if you go to an urgent care center, you may be sent to a hospital emergency department or advised to call the doctor on call at FLCH.
Should I visit the emergency department if:
Emergency departments are usually busy and people go there first even if they don't have an actual medical emergency. An emergency is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition, such as:
• Head, neck and spinal injuries.
• Extensive burns.
• Symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
• fracture.
• You may have appendicitis.
• Uncontrollable bleeding.
Because these cases can be life-or-death issues, people with mild symptoms are given lower priority in the ER. This means you may have to wait a long time to get treatment at the ER. Also, keep in mind that the cost of an ER visit can be hard to predict and very expensive. It all depends on your insurance coverage. Most ERs also accept Medicaid.
Another option is school-based health centers.
The Penn Yan district has a school-based health center at 3 School Drive. You must register your child in advance to receive care at the center, but it is a convenient alternative. Because the health center is part of FLCH, the center also has access to your child's medical records.
Final thoughts:
Talk to your doctor at your next appointment. Ask for details on when and where to go, who to call first, etc. If you have a unique situation that's difficult to decide on, they can give you advice on what to do before you make the call.