Years ago, doctors made house calls for everything from birthing babies to the common cold. Then society largely did away with this service in favor of medical clinics and doctor’s offices. Fortunately, today the house call is making a comeback. And advanced medical care services like DispatchHealth are at the forefront of this convenient and effective revolution in healthcare.
While life-threatening and extremely time sensitive injuries and illnesses certainly merit a trip the the emergency room, for other issues that require same-day care, DispatchHealth is the perfect solution. And you might even be surprised at the vast number of chronic and acute health problems DispatchHealth can treat in the comfort of your home or office.
Abscess
An abscess occurs when an infection forms under your skin. It will typically appear as a painful, warm bump surrounded by a pink or red color. They can appear just about anywhere but are most commonly reported in areas such as the armpit, groin, the base of the spine, and inside the mouth.
Typically, someone suffering from an abscess is given antibiotics to help solve the infection. But unlike typical infections, antibiotics are generally only part of treatment and won’t solve the problem alone. The abscess must also be lanced and drained, to remove the buildup of pus, bacteria, and debris inside. While you may think you’ll need to go to your doctor’s office or your local urgent care clinic, this procedure can actually be done in the comfort of your home with DispatchHealth.
Dehydration
Severe dehydration is no laughing matter, and it’s more common than you might expect — especially for seniors. Typical symptoms range from lethargy and dizziness or lightheadedness to seizures and shock in extreme cases. One thing is certain, if your dehydration has gone beyond mild and into severe status, you need to seek medical care to resolve the problem.
The most efficient way to get rehydrated once you’ve gotten to this stage is through IV fluids. If that sounds like something that would require a visit to the hospital, think again. This is another surprising treatment that DispatchHealth can offer to you in the comfort of your own home!
Difficulty Breathing
Breathing difficulties can be life-threatening if left untreated. They can be caused by a number of problems including asthma, allergies, infections, and injuries. If you’re having trouble breathing, the last thing you typically want to do is go sit in a germy waiting room in the hopes that a doctor may see you soon.
While it’s important to treat the underlying cause of the breathing difficulty, it’s also vital to restore proper function in a timely manner. Fortunately, DispatchHealth can help with both! From prescriptions of antibiotics or other medications to breathing treatments through a nebulizer or inhaler, their ER-trained medical teams have the knowledge and equipment to help you breathe easier, sooner.
High Blood Pressure
If you suffer from high blood pressure, you may be aware how important it is to seek medical help for a hypertensive crisis. Monitor your blood pressure with a home meter, and be sure to check it regularly.
But if you have no symptoms other than elevated numbers, instead of heading to the closest ER — a stressful environment that may cause further spikes — call in a team from DispatchHealth. They’ll come to you, wherever you find most convenient. They’ll help evaluate your blood pressure and determine the right next steps.
Kidney Stones
Possibly one of the most painful experiences many will ever encounter, passing kidney stones can be excruciating. If you have severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs, with accompanying pain during urination, you may be passing a stone. For small stones, drinking plenty of water and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever should suffice. But if the pain is more severe, you’ll want to seek medical attention.
A fast and friendly medical team from DispatchHealth can evaluate your condition in the comfort of your home. They can then help with pain management and even provide medical therapies such as alpha blockers. These may help you pass the stones faster and with less pain, so you can get back to life without having to set foot in a medical clinic.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
It really is very important to seek medical help if you believe you have a UTI, especially for seniors. For starters, a medical clinician can correctly diagnose a UTI, and be sure that the symptoms you’re experiencing aren’t signs of something more serious. Secondly, they can prescribe the appropriate regimen of antibiotics to cure the infection quickly and effectively. This keeps it from growing out of control and leading to complications like permanent kidney damage, recurrent infections or even sepsis leading to death.
While UTI symptoms are nothing short of uncomfortable,
DispatchHealth can help. They can diagnose the problem and prescribe a round of antibiotics.
Pneumonia
During winter especially, pneumonia cases can oftentimes accompany flu symptoms.
The CDC states those with conditions like asthma, heart disease, or endocrine and kidney disorders should seek medical treatment immediately if they experience pneumonia symptoms. Luckily, DispatchHealth can help. Their qualified medical teams can diagnose the problem, and treat with antibiotics and possible breathing treatments, or steroids and cough medications.
The Flu
If you do have symptoms of the flu, it is important to be tested and start treatment immediately. Delays in diagnosis and treatment may result in prolonging the symptoms and complications of the flu. And while most seek treatment at an emergency room or urgent care clinic, by leaving their home and exposing the virus to others, they’re only causing further spread of the flu. Plus,
ERs and clinics can easily become overwhelmed with a high number of sick patients during flu season, leading to overcrowding, lengthy wait times and even physician burnout. So if you’re sick and need medical treatment, get your healthcare delivered.
Simply put,
DispatchHealth travels so the flu doesn’t.
We will arrive ready to perform a rapid infectious disease test, administer IV fluids, prescribe anti-nausea medication, prescribe antivirals if caught early enough, order a chest xray if pneumonia is suspected, and more. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
