Urgent Care returns during weekends at VMH beginning January 7
Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) has announced Urgent Care clinics will be returning during weekends, beginning Saturday, January 7. Urgent Care will be offered from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
Urgent Care is designed for treating injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to require an emergency department visit. Patients may enter through the main entrance of the hospital and ask for Urgent Care. A registered nurse will assess each patient and decide if Urgent Care or ER is the level of care needed.
Examples of what a patient may seek Urgent Care for could include back pain; bladder or urinary tract infection; cough; cuts, scrapes and bruises; diarrhea; fever, colds and flu; ear pain, swimmer’s ear, ear infection, or wax removal; insect or tick bite; joint pain; minor burn; nausea/vomiting; pink eye; rash; seasonal allergies; sinus and upper respiratory infection; sore or strep throat; strains/sprains; sudden back or neck pain; urinary problems or vaginal irritation/discharge. Most insurance does cover urgent care visits. Patients can usually expect to pay a copay or deductible for visits to Urgent Care treatment centers.
Emergency Care needs to be sought immediately for such things as chest pain or difficulty breathing, weakness, numbness on one side, slurred speech, fainting or change in mental state, serious burns, head or eye injury, fever with a rash, seizures, and concussion or confusion. Patients should enter through the emergency entrance of the hospital for these symptoms.
In either an Urgent Care or an Emergency Room visit, all patients should be prepared by bringing a list of all medications. This includes vitamins and supplements, and should include how much of each is taken and how often. In addition, a list of allergies and past medical procedures or surgeries and when they occurred should be brought along as well.
The VMH Waukon Clinic and Postville Clinic are both available Monday through Friday for any weekday medical needs. The Waukon Clinic is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours including every Monday morning starting at 7 a.m. and Thursday evenings until 7 p.m. The Postville Medical Clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closing from 1-2 p.m. each day.
For questions on the return of Urgent Care during the weekend, feel free to call VMH at 563-568-3411.
