Editor’s note: This article was provided by Mary Washington Healthcare, a corporate sponsor of the Fredericksburg Free Press. As part of its continued partnership with MWHC, the Free Press will publish monthly public health awareness content on topics such as wellness, preventative care and the latest advancements in healthcare.
At Mary Washington Healthcare, we strive to provide the best care by ensuring that patients receive the right treatment at the right location and at the right time. Understanding where to go for different health concerns can help you get the care you need efficiently.
Primary care providers are your first point of contact for general health concerns and preventive care. They offer services such as counseling, disease prevention, management of acute or chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and acid reflux; pediatric care, prescription medication management, screenings for diabetes, tuberculosis, and vision; vaccines and immunizations; and wellness visits including annual checkups.
Urgent care centers are ideal for non-life-threatening conditions that require prompt attention. Common issues treated at urgent care include back pain, canker sores, common cold and upper respiratory infections, contagious skin infections, COVID-19, ear infections, eczema, flu shots, foreign body in eye or nose, fungal infections, headaches including migraine and tension headaches, hives, influenza, insect and bug bites, minor skin infections, physical exams, pink eye, poison oak or ivy, scabies or lice, seasonal allergies, shingles, sinus infections, strains and sprains, strep throat, sunburns, suture or staple removal, urinary tract infections, and x-rays.
For severe or life-threatening conditions, the emergency department is the appropriate place to seek care. Situations that require emergency attention include chest pain which may be symptoms of stroke or heart attack, difficulty breathing; fainting, head injury with or without loss of consciousness; intoxicated or uncooperative patients, major bone fractures, cuts, or burns; severe abdominal pain, severe bleeding, severe headaches, severe pain of any kind; slurred speech or confusion, speech, hearing, or vision problems, and suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
Dr. Christopher Lewis, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Mary Washington Healthcare, emphasizes the importance of understanding where to seek care.
“Navigating healthcare can be challenging but knowing where to go for different health issues ensures that patients receive timely and appropriate treatment,” he said. “Our goal is to provide the best possible care by directing patients to the right location based on their needs.”
As a comprehensive healthcare system, Mary Washington Healthcare is proud to offer high-quality, coordinated care across all settings—ensuring our community receives the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
By knowing where to go for different health issues, you can ensure that you receive timely and appropriate care.
For more information, visit our websites: Primary Care at PrimaryCare.mwhc.com, Urgent Care at Urgent.mwhc.com, and Emergency Department at Emergency.mwhc.com.
