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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

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

Even as businesses begin to reopen, many activities are still on hold for Americans. Our lives are not the same as they were, and unfortunately, stress is one aspect that can continue to impact your life. You should always prioritize your mental and physical health. While you might not be able to pursue everyday methods of stress-relief, below are a few ways you can ease your mind.

5 Strategies to Beat Stress

1. Try Something New  

Physical distancing and restrictions, like restaurant and retail occupancy, can lead to frustration.  Pursuing a new activity or interest can break up the monotony and challenges and allow your mind to focus on other matters. Some possible options include cooking with unique ingredients, watching a new series, reading a book about an unfamiliar topic, learning an instrument, or adding new music to your play list.

2. Get Outdoors

Whether it’s gardening in the backyard or hiking at a local trail, getting outdoors is essential for balanced mental wellness. In addition to giving you a change of scenery, spending time outside is an excellent way to exercise. Physical fitness stimulates the production of endorphins—a hormone that helps with stress relief and pain management.

3. Enjoy a Hobby

Whether you choose to draw, knit, write, solve puzzles, or play games, there are countless hobbies you can embrace at home and with your family. Relaxing with an activity you enjoy can provide an escape from overwhelming thoughts, as well as give you something to look forward to each day. With regular practice, you may notice many positive effects of stress management—such as reduced breathing problems, blood pressure relief, and lower fatigue.

4. Keep Talking

With physical distancing guidelines and travel restrictions still in place, it be easy for depression and stress to occur. That’s why people staying at home should make extra efforts to connect with loved ones. Schedule virtual game nights, have weekly video chats, or text throughout the day to stay social.

5. Take a Breath

When stress levels get too high, taking a break is one of the best ways you can recalibrate your heart rate and emotions. Even if you only do it for a few minutes, you should step away from other activities and relax in a comfortable position while taking deep, controlled breaths.

If you have concerns about your physical or mental wellbeing, Coryell Health will provide the support you need. Offering expansive telehealth services, our Gatesville, TX, medical clinic allows patients to connect with their practitioners, update medications, and take virtual assessments. They also offer specialized care for those who are managing preexisting conditions—including arthritis, diabetes, asthma and other breathing problems. To learn more about these services, visit your Central Texas medical provider online. For general info and telehealth appointment assistance, call (254) 865-2166.

Coryell Health Medical Clinic has set aside appointments for sports and camp physicals, well child visits, and immunizations. Sports physicals for GISD, specifically junior high athletes, will need to be done before June 8^th in order for participation in volleyball and basketball camps, as well as speed and strength training.

Sports & Camp Physicals Includes:

Physicians will check your athlete’s vitals, joints, and flexibility. They’ll also check your athlete’s vision and do a short fitness assessment to diagnose and recommend any possible limitations on physical activity. Texas actually requires that kids and teens have a sports physical before they can start a new sport or begin a new competitive season.

Well Child Check-Ups:

During these visits, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your child’s growth, development, behavior and other health issues with the goal of preventing illness and promoting the best possible health for your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics also provides information on what to expect from your child’s practitioner during a wellness visit. We recommend you write a list of any questions or concerns and bring it with you to the appointment.

What to expect:

·         Recording of height & weight

·         Blood pressure & body temperature check

·         Test of hearing and vision

·         Urine samples

·         Complete physical exam

·         Immunization booster shots

Please bring your child’s insurance card, a list of their medications and- if your child is not already a patient- bring their immunization record. If you need financial assistance, you can complete this form. If you have any questions, or to schedule a visit, please call (254) 865-2166.