An accident happens, you or a loved one begin to feel ill, or an illness you have seems to take a turn for the worse. What do you do? Many people have become accustomed to calling an ambulance or rushing to an emergency room, only to discover that their situation is rated as minor or non-urgent, and they end up spending hours waiting in the lobby to be seen.
Trips to the emergency room are increasingly expensive. Recent 2016 studies show that if you are treated in an emergency room for a urinary tract infection or strep throat, your costs could be five times as much. How can you decide whether your illness or accident merits emergency care, or whether it can be handled at a health clinic?
When You Should Go To The Emergency Room
You should go to the emergency room if you feel that you have a life-threatening condition like a stroke, heart attack, unexplained shortness of breath, if you or a loved one has lost consciousness, possibly had a drug overdose, or if you've been involved in a serious accident.
You should also seek emergency help if you are suffering from a sudden onset high fever, have possible appendicitis, or are suffering from a severe allergic reaction (bee stings, reactions to medication, etc. that are causing you to go into anaphylactic shock).
When You Should Go To A Walk-In Clinic
A study by Blue Cross and Blue Shield recommends that a clinic should be visited instead of an emergency room to treat the following conditions: animal bites, minor burns, minor injuries, and minor allergic reactions.
Walk-in clinics are a good choice if you need to be seen for flu or cold symptoms, if you have a slight sprain instead of a broken bone, or if you need a shot.
Medical Specialty Center - Your Everyday Health Care Clinic
If you are fortunate enough to live in one of the beautiful rural communities of Biggs, Richvale, Gridley, or Live Oak, there is a safe, cost-effective alternative for you - Orchard Hospital's Medical Specialty Center - Your Everyday Health Care Clinic. The clinic is open 7 days a week and provides a complete menu of medical services, including pain management, primary care, physical therapy, orthopedic and general surgery, and so much more.
When you choose our clinic for your medical care, you will get an appointment, so you won't be waiting for hours in the emergency room. You will be seen promptly and get the best medical care available.
Benefits Of Visiting A Clinic or Walk-In Clinic
If you don't have a regular doctor or primary physician, you will find that visiting a clinic instead of the emergency room will be much less expensive. A walk-in clinic is an ideal place to get immunizations, physical exams, lab tests, foot care, etc. It is a very good place to get help with managing a chronic condition like asthma or diabetes.
Choose a clinic if you have a sore throat or possible poison ivy. You will be seen promptly, and will not have to spend hours waiting at the emergency room, only to wind up being told that your condition is minor and should have been treated elsewhere.
What Medical Services Are Offered At Our Health Care Clinic?
A full range of services are offered at our clinic and include on-site digital radiology, a full on-site lab, cardiac and general ultrasound, DEXA scanning (scans that measure bone density), digital mammography, and routine blood tests. You will also find medical services like wound care, Workers Comp, drug screening, psychotherapy, industrial medicine, and minor surgical procedures.
All types of physicals are also provided - pre-employment, sports, DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles), pre-op, and CHDP (Child Health and Disability Prevention Program).
Wound Care
Wound care is available for diabetes patients, and people suffering from peripheral vascular disease, foot and leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, any non-healing surgical wounds, and wounds associated with cancer, insect bites, or immunological disorders.
Minor Surgical Procedures
At our clinic, we offer a wide assortment of minor surgical procedures, including removal of skin tags and moles, minor suturing, abscess drainage and incision, toenail removal, and IUD removal or implantation.
Rehabilitation Therapy Services
Your Everyday Health Care Clinic offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy for people of all ages. Our clinic treats conditions and injuries of all kinds, including chronic neck and back pain, sports injuries, dizziness and balance problems, orthopedic conditions, weakness, pediatric therapy, pre- and post-surgical rehab, and neurological and neuromuscular disorders.
Industrial Medicine
We provide all types of occupational health services for local employers, including fitness for duty exams, breath alcohol testing and drug screening, TB testing, vision testing, X-rays, treadmill EKGs and electrocardiograms, and rabies, MMR, influenza and hepatitis immunizations.
If you need to visit us at our Medical Specialty Center—Your Everyday Health Care Clinic, we will take care of you quickly and efficiently. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Open 7 days a week. It’s our goal to have fast and friendly care while delivering quality health care.
Our mission at Orchard Hospital is to provide our community with superior health care. We strive to ensure that your experience at Orchard Hospital is as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Our priority is to provide you with the care you need when you need it, with skill, compassion, and respect.
