Category: Uncategorized

Coryell Health COVID-19 Testing Totals ǀ Record Highs of New Cases

Getting consistent numbers of positive COVID-19 tests ​in Texas and its local counties can be a challenge and with cases on the rise, it is important for residents to understand the increasing risk of infection. “The state often lags behind in their reporting”, explains Dr. Wuenschel, Coryell Health Medical Clinic Director, Chief of Staff and Director of RehabLiving. The numbers the state reports are based on the county where the person lives. “We get our real time numbers each day from our own on-site testing lab.  A few weeks ago, we saw 12 cases in a week. This week, we saw 13 cases in a day.  Coryell has done 7,000 tests since March and is seeing increases both in cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive.”

Dr. Wuenschel adds, “As we go into the holiday weekend, we must keep our guard up. I know we want to gather with family and friends, but we have to remember that a large gathering, especially without masks and social distancing, is one of the most likely places for COVID-19 to spread.”

Testing for COVID-19 will help reduce transmission, when individuals become aware they are positive and take proper precautions. “We are trying to be diligent in our contact tracing- so if a patient tests positive at Coryell Health- we encourage those that were exposed to get tested at our clinic,” adds Wuenschel. “This helps us identify if a new ” hot spot” is arising somewhere in our area. We are concerned about that the upcoming Fourth of July weekend could cause the coronavirus spread to intensify if people don’t take precautions.” Social distancing includes staying away from friends and neighbors. That means wearing a mask and keeping 6 ft. apart from non-family members – is important to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. So is wiping down surfaces or objects where the virus can live and then be transferred by touch to the mouth, nose and eyes.

 

Resources:

Coronavirus Online Screening Tool https://coryellhealth.org/covid-19-screening

Coryell Health Medical Clinic/ Quick Care Walk-In Clinic/ Telehealth (254) 865-2166

Coryell Health COVID-19 Website https://coryellhealth.org/covid

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

Calling 911 for an ambulance is the fastest way to get life-saving treatment to a patient. Heart attacks and strokes are common medical emergencies where time is of the essence. The more time that passes, the greater the risk of damage, and the harder it becomes to reverse symptoms.

 

1. EMS Can Start Giving Medical Care Right Away.

Your car probably doesn’t have the equipment to monitor or manage heart attack symptoms on the way to the hospital like an ambulance does, says the NHLBI. The EMS providers can start giving medication right away, monitor vital signs, and give other treatments all before arriving at the emergency room.

1. Ambulances Can Get to the Closest Emergency Room Faster.

If you drive, you’ll have to obey the speed limit and stop at red lights, halt for pedestrians, and find a place to park once you arrive at the emergency room. Construction or traffic could hold you up or you may need to get gas.

If you call 911, an ambulance with lights and sirens can fly through traffic jams, red lights, and speed limit restrictions without getting pulled over.

1. You Can Focus on Your Loved One.

If your loved one is panicked about their symptoms, she’ll be relying on you to keep her calm. You might not be able to do that as well if you’re driving. You’ll need to focus on the road. Also, if she’s having nausea or lightheadedness, you might have trouble getting her into your vehicle.

1. Calling 911 Can Mean Quicker Care.

If your loved one arrives at the emergency room by ambulance, they won’t have to check in and wait to be seen. The paramedics will also inform the ER of your condition before you arrive. Coryell Health Emergency Medical Service (EMS) coordinates care while in route to the ER, so they are prepared before the patient arrives.

Coryell Health is here for you, if you need us, this holiday weekend.

 

Coryell Health Medical Clinic

Please note holiday hours:

Friday, July 3^rd:

8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Saturday, July 4^th:

CLOSED

Monday, July 6^th:

Regular hours resume

8:00 am – 8:00 pm

 

Coryell Health EMS ǀ Call 911

Please call 911 if you have an emergency 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or if you or someone in your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or exposed to COVID-19 and you need urgent medical care.

 

Coryell Health Emergency Room

Will remain open 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week to care for urgent and emergency care needs.

 

Let’s all join together to help slow the spread of Coronavirus and help keep Texas open!

Resources:

Coronavirus Online Screening Tool https://coryellhealth.org/covid-19-screening

Coryell Health Medical Clinic/ Quick Care Walk-In Clinic/ Telehealth (254) 865-2166

Coryell Health COVID-19 Website https://coryellhealth.org/covid

As businesses try to remain open and employees are back at work, masks can play a pivotal role in helping block the spread of the virus. The more people that are wearing a mask in any given space, the greater the expected benefit. Sheldon Chaffer, MD, Coryell Health Nephrologist, Vice Chief of Staff and Dialysis Center Medical Director, confirms that a simple mask, including home-made cotton mask, likely results in some decrease in the wearer’s risk of being infected by the virus that causes COVID-19. But, he also states that the greatest benefit seems to be in reducing the mask wearer’s ability to infect other people.  Patients without any symptoms can be infected and spread the virus without knowing they are infected. “We are seeing evidence that the least symptomatic individuals may be the greatest spreader of the virus. Some patients who have tested positive have gone 7-14 days without any symptoms. During that time, Dr. Chaffer explains, “They expose everyone they come in contact with. To limit the risk of transmission, we all need to wear a mask in public spaces, practice physical distancing, frequently sanitize hard surfaces, and wash our hands regularly.”

Wearing a mask is just one of the tools we have to fight the spread of the virus. As Dr. Chaffer notes, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says masks potentially help prevent transmission when used as a complement to physical distancing.” Masks, he says, should be used in conjunction with physical distancing, hand washing, and regular testing, not as a replacement of that practice.

Resources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021850219305403?via%3Dihub

Coronavirus Online Screening Tool https://coryellhealth.org/covid-19-screening

Coryell Health Medical Clinic/ Quick Care Walk-In Clinic/ Telehealth (254) 865-2166

Coryell Health COVID-19 Website https://coryellhealth.org/covid

Nursing Assistants/Nurse Aide’s are vital to healthcare systems and long-term care communities everywhere.

It takes a very special type of person to care for others.

Ask yourself: Am I genuine, dependable, work as a team player, handle stress and communicate effectively? If your answer is yes, consider becoming a certified nurse aid through the Coryell Health RehabLiving Nurse Aid Program.

No Tuition Fees ǀ Hands on 6-week Training Course ǀ Start Your Medical Career ǀ Interviews Starting Soon ǀ Become a Coryell Health Employee ǀ Further Your Education at No Charge!

STEPS:

1. Apply to join our Coryell Health team and become a Certified Nurse Aide at no charge at on our website’s career page.
2. Submit applications by July 3, 2020
3. Once your application is received, it will be forwarded to the Program Director.
4. Applicants will receive a phone call outlining details about this opportunity and further instructions.  Please note, all applicants must apply through our website for consideration.

Please call 911, if you or someone in your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or exposed to COVID-19 and you need urgent medical care.  Our Emergency Medical Service can direct treatment by determining the best hospital to go to, notifying the emergency department head of arrival, allowing them to be fully prepared to care for a COVID positive patient. 911 dispatch, local hospital and EMS services all coordinate to determine the best course of care for each individual patient.

Call our medical clinic now if you’ve been waiting for care or are having non-urgent medical concerns. You have the options of scheduling an in-person office visit, a primary care telehealth virtual visit or provide you with a referral to see a specialist.  Keep your regular preventive screenings- wellness checks, school screenings and imaging- including CT scan, MRI, X-Ray, and mammogram. Detecting problems early increases the success of treatment.  “We have seen an increase in mortality rates since the pandemic began to for non-COVID-19 patients due to people postponing care and not seeking treatment for urgent care issues,” says Jeff Bates, Coryell Health Chief Medical Officer. “Let the 911 dispatcher know right away if you believe you have COVID-19 or are experiencing known symptoms,” adds Bates. “This will help them take care of you, limit their own exposure, and protect other patients.”

Resources:

Coronavirus Online Screening Tool https://coryellhealth.org/covid-19-screening

Coryell Health Medical Clinic/ Quick Care Walk-In Clinic/ Telehealth (254) 865-2166

Coryell Health COVID-19 Website https://coryellhealth.org/covid

Join us on our journey to wound health awareness during #WHAM. The incidence of chronic wounds is rising, mainly due to increased rates of diabetes and obesity. Without prompt treatment, chronic wounds can lead to a diminished quality of life, severe infection, or limb amputation. Fortunately, you can fight back with specialized treatment at a wound care center. Coryell Health Wound Center can speed healing and limit serious complications. #CoryellHealthHeroes  #WoundHealthAwareness

Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers and father figures, as well as grandfathers. Today we celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.

When the body is not able to heal a wound on its own, proper wound treatment is critically important to avoid serious long-term complications. The reason raising awareness during WHAM (Wound Health Awareness Month) is so important is patients with non-healing wounds also report a low quality of life and deal with high healthcare costs. A multidisciplinary wound healing center can provide the specialized treatment options and medical expertise needed to support the body’s healing process, limit health complications, and speed recovery. Don’t let you or a loved one suffer from a non-healing wound without treatment. Call (254) 248-6204.

Please join us in celebrating the 5th annual Wound Healing Awareness Month (WHAM)! The goal of Wound Healing Awareness Month (WHAM) is to educate patients, physicians, and the general public about the importance of advanced wound care and its role in saving lives and limbs. To learn more about wound care, please visit our website.

“Our mission has always been to provide a place of healing and comfort for our patients, residents, families, and the community we serve. We are committed to keeping the humanity in healthcare.”- Jeff Bates, MD, Chief Medical Officer

#GatesvilleStrong #CentralTexasStrong #TeamCoryellHealth

This month is all about raising awareness related to health issues affecting men and boys. That includes getting an annual check-up with their primary care provider, eating healthy, talking about their mental health, and more. Check out this men’s health checklist.

#MensHealthMonth