We know that clinical documentation is very important and should be
implemented by all hospitals. Before one begins the process of
documentation it is important to know what the various kinds of
documentation there is. The following article lists out the different
kinds of documentation that is used.
Clinical
Documentation could start right from the time a patient reports for
clinical examination either for a routine check up or with any specific
ailment. The information contained in the documentation, also called the
health record, would contain the following details.
• Name, sex, date of birth, residential address and emergency contact telephone number
• Blood type
• Dates of last physical check up and dates and results of previously done tests and screenings
• Brief details of major illnesses. Details of surgeries performed with dates
• Allergies, if any
• List of medicines prescribed and duration of their use
• History of family illnesses
• Chronic diseases if any
• History of any trauma or accident or any unusual symptoms affecting a person's health
Clinical
documentation details complete information of the state of health of a
person since birth. It records major and minor illnesses and also growth
landmark. It often gives a clue to the present diseases of a person;
following details included in the history would make this point clear.
• Surgery history - it would contain operative reports and details of any surgery performed.
• Obstetrics history - would give history of past pregnancies and any clinical findings for them.
Medicinal or food allergies -
• Family history - health status of near relations, common diseases in the family
• Social history - patient's behavior during a major illness and occupation
• Habits - addiction if any, physical habits, exercise and diet and also sexual habits
• History of immunization
• Developmental history - this is important for children and
teenagers. Many social stresses, economic factors and diseases affect
growth. Developmental history records such cases.
As part of
clinical documentation, results of individual checkups by a physician or
assistant physician or a nurse are recorded. Clinical documentation, in
case of hospital admission or consultation by a medical specialist,
could be exhaustive. Shorter forms may be necessary to record
observations in a routine visit.
Details in clinical documentation in such cases could contain:
• Present illness history
• Physical examination including body temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure, heartbeat, muscle power, urine output, etc
• Diagnosis of present illness
• Prescriptions and instructions to other health team members
When
a patient is hospitalized, all test results like blood and urine test
and all special tests are recorded. Radiological examinations,
pathological tests, endoscopy, CT scans, etc are included. All these
form a part of clinical documentation. Documentation plays a very
important role as it contains the entire medical history of a patient.
It provides invaluable insight into a person's condition and helps in
simplifying treatment.
Monday, October 22, 2012
The Importance of Visiting a Travel Vaccination Clinic
Nowadays, more people are able to visit countries in all corners
of the Earth because they have greater spending power and lower
traveling costs. The number of worldwide air travelers has been
increasing every year. From 4.1 billion in 2005, the figure has risen to
about 5.2 billion in 2010 and it's forecasted to reach almost 9.1
billion in 2025. With budget airlines and budget accommodations, people
can afford to go almost everywhere they wish. Perhaps, you are planning a
vacation to a faraway country in South Africa, Asia, Africa or Europe?
Well, the most important thing is to make early preparations and plan
your trip as meticulously as possible. In the haste to get the best air
ticket deal and the best accommodation, sometimes, people neglect the
most important thing, which is health. This is the main reason why it's
best that you visit a travel clinic before you embark on your journey.
Peace of Mind
Whether you are traveling for pleasure or business, it's essential to have good health. When you visit a travel clinic, you will have the peace of mind that you will not be infected by the various diseases found in the foreign country. Many people travel to Peru to experience wonderful attractions like the Machu Picchu, Nazca, Colca Canyon, Inca Trail, Batan Grande, and Huacachina. Imagine traveling all the way to Peru, all ready to enjoy the vacation of your life when without warning, you contract malaria, which may be a deadly disease. To be treated, you will have to be hospitalized, and even after you recover, it's doubtful that you will want to continue the journey because your enthusiasm may be gone. If you are traveling with your family or friends, they will be worried and the entire trip will be a grand disaster. Is it worth it? Malaria is preventable with just a prescription antimalarial drug. In Peru, there's also the risk of yellow fever, rabies, typhoid, hepatitis B, and others. There are various health risks for travelers to each different country so it's best to pay a visit to a travel vaccination clinic to find out more.
Vaccinations
One of the main reasons why people go to travel clinics is to get the necessary vaccinations. In some African and South American countries, travelers are required to get yellow fever vaccination before they are allowed to enter the countries. If you are traveling to these countries, the travel doctor will recommend that you get yellow fever immunization because it's the best way to prevent the disease, which can be life-threatening. Other diseases which can be prevented with vaccines are hepatitis A & B, European tick-borne encephalitis, typhoid, influenza, cholera, polio, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies. Travelers are advised to be up-to-date with their routine shots such as MMR vaccine, DPT vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, and so on. It's best to visit a travel clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure to the foreign country.
Professional Advice
Visiting a foreign country is very exciting because there's so much to discover about the country but that's no excuse for being unprepared. Just as you will go to a dental clinic for a dental problem, you should go to a travel vaccination clinic to find out about the health risks associated with a foreign country. The doctors who practice in health clinics are best-equipped to provide professional advice and recommendations in regards to the country you are planning to visit. Other than vaccinations, they can also inform you about the safety of food and water in the foreign country as well as the best hospitals or clinics, the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, medical expenses, medical insurance, and more. It's important to remember that each country is different so the doctor at the travel clinic will make recommendations according to your travel itinerary. For instance, the water supply in many developing countries is not sufficiently clean so you have to bring your own portable water filter or iodine tablets and you may contract a parasitic infection known as schistosomiasis in the fresh water of some countries. What kind of medication should you bring along? A specialist at the travel vaccination clinic will give you all the necessary health information about any country you wish to go.
When you plan to go on a vacation to a foreign country, you are not just investing financially in the air tickets, car rental, hotels, and tickets to visit places of interests but more importantly, you are investing your time and effort to make it a memorable trip.
Peace of Mind
Whether you are traveling for pleasure or business, it's essential to have good health. When you visit a travel clinic, you will have the peace of mind that you will not be infected by the various diseases found in the foreign country. Many people travel to Peru to experience wonderful attractions like the Machu Picchu, Nazca, Colca Canyon, Inca Trail, Batan Grande, and Huacachina. Imagine traveling all the way to Peru, all ready to enjoy the vacation of your life when without warning, you contract malaria, which may be a deadly disease. To be treated, you will have to be hospitalized, and even after you recover, it's doubtful that you will want to continue the journey because your enthusiasm may be gone. If you are traveling with your family or friends, they will be worried and the entire trip will be a grand disaster. Is it worth it? Malaria is preventable with just a prescription antimalarial drug. In Peru, there's also the risk of yellow fever, rabies, typhoid, hepatitis B, and others. There are various health risks for travelers to each different country so it's best to pay a visit to a travel vaccination clinic to find out more.
Vaccinations
One of the main reasons why people go to travel clinics is to get the necessary vaccinations. In some African and South American countries, travelers are required to get yellow fever vaccination before they are allowed to enter the countries. If you are traveling to these countries, the travel doctor will recommend that you get yellow fever immunization because it's the best way to prevent the disease, which can be life-threatening. Other diseases which can be prevented with vaccines are hepatitis A & B, European tick-borne encephalitis, typhoid, influenza, cholera, polio, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies. Travelers are advised to be up-to-date with their routine shots such as MMR vaccine, DPT vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, and so on. It's best to visit a travel clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure to the foreign country.
Professional Advice
Visiting a foreign country is very exciting because there's so much to discover about the country but that's no excuse for being unprepared. Just as you will go to a dental clinic for a dental problem, you should go to a travel vaccination clinic to find out about the health risks associated with a foreign country. The doctors who practice in health clinics are best-equipped to provide professional advice and recommendations in regards to the country you are planning to visit. Other than vaccinations, they can also inform you about the safety of food and water in the foreign country as well as the best hospitals or clinics, the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, medical expenses, medical insurance, and more. It's important to remember that each country is different so the doctor at the travel clinic will make recommendations according to your travel itinerary. For instance, the water supply in many developing countries is not sufficiently clean so you have to bring your own portable water filter or iodine tablets and you may contract a parasitic infection known as schistosomiasis in the fresh water of some countries. What kind of medication should you bring along? A specialist at the travel vaccination clinic will give you all the necessary health information about any country you wish to go.
When you plan to go on a vacation to a foreign country, you are not just investing financially in the air tickets, car rental, hotels, and tickets to visit places of interests but more importantly, you are investing your time and effort to make it a memorable trip.
Everything You Need to Know About an STD Clinic
So you think you have an STD and would just want to rush over to
someone knowledgeable to ask for help? Before going to an STD clinic for
your check-up, there are a few things that you should first do and make
sure of. Be sure to have an appointment arranged to a minimum of 24
hours before the check-up for your check-up services to be organized
nicely. If you have had any test or examination results performed
previously, it is wise to bring them with you during the appointment.
Prepare yourself for special situations. Have your health care
practitioner informed if you are pregnant or have any doubts about the
issue before starting with any procedure.
So now that you are in the STD Clinic, just what kind of procedures will be performed during your appointment? Here, you will be accompanied by a clinic staff throughout all the procedures you will be undergoing during the appointment. They will be implementing your laboratory examination. Internal disease tests and examination for your comprehensive health information is collected. Assessment of medical processes and results and the arrangement and conclusion of the check-up report will be prepared.
These sexual health clinics usually give you tests for sexual and urinary health problems such as sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, Chlamydia, HIV, AIDS, cystitis, and other infections that concern the genitals. STD Clinics can also provide contraceptive service and offers advice and counselling on a range of sexual health issues, and also provide support if you're having an HIV test, or if you have been diagnosed as HIV positive.
Upon arriving for a check-up, you will reach the reception desk. You will then be asked to complete a registration form in order to prepare your case notes. Be sure to have all your previous notes and exam results with you for basis. Upon consultation, inform the practitioner of any medical histories you may have. Answer all the questions with all honesty, because it is your health and life on the line. Expect that some will be very personal, but they are necessary to determine whether you are at risk of any of the STDs.
Worried you might be infected with an STD, but don't know where to get a treatment? The easiest way is to go to your own practitioner. This is because he/she already knows your health history and is the best person to choose the right treatments for you. Sexual health clinics are usually located at your local hospital or as a part of another health center. If you are in doubt and could not ask around, you can go online and search for the nearest STD clinics in your area.
There are a number of reasons for visiting an STD Clinic, these include: 1) If you are experiencing symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease. 2) If your sexual partner/s have recently been diagnosed with an STD or are suffering from symptoms which might be from a sexually transmitted infection. 3) If you feel you have possibly been at risk of getting infected through sexual contact or injecting drug use. 4) People who come in to the clinic for a check-up with their partners at the start of a new sexual relationship.
During an STD Clinic appointment, it is very important to answer truthfully, as the tests you'll undergo will be based on the answers you provide. If you are unsure, be frank about it and explain that you want a clearer explanation about the questions asked. Some of the questions will be: 1) What are you really concerned about? 2) How many people have you had sex with recently and were they male or female (or both)? 3) What type of sex was it? (anal/oral,etc,)? 4) Have you ever been diagnosed with an STD before? 5) Are you taking any form of medication at the moment?
So now that you are in the STD Clinic, just what kind of procedures will be performed during your appointment? Here, you will be accompanied by a clinic staff throughout all the procedures you will be undergoing during the appointment. They will be implementing your laboratory examination. Internal disease tests and examination for your comprehensive health information is collected. Assessment of medical processes and results and the arrangement and conclusion of the check-up report will be prepared.
These sexual health clinics usually give you tests for sexual and urinary health problems such as sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, Chlamydia, HIV, AIDS, cystitis, and other infections that concern the genitals. STD Clinics can also provide contraceptive service and offers advice and counselling on a range of sexual health issues, and also provide support if you're having an HIV test, or if you have been diagnosed as HIV positive.
Upon arriving for a check-up, you will reach the reception desk. You will then be asked to complete a registration form in order to prepare your case notes. Be sure to have all your previous notes and exam results with you for basis. Upon consultation, inform the practitioner of any medical histories you may have. Answer all the questions with all honesty, because it is your health and life on the line. Expect that some will be very personal, but they are necessary to determine whether you are at risk of any of the STDs.
Worried you might be infected with an STD, but don't know where to get a treatment? The easiest way is to go to your own practitioner. This is because he/she already knows your health history and is the best person to choose the right treatments for you. Sexual health clinics are usually located at your local hospital or as a part of another health center. If you are in doubt and could not ask around, you can go online and search for the nearest STD clinics in your area.
There are a number of reasons for visiting an STD Clinic, these include: 1) If you are experiencing symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease. 2) If your sexual partner/s have recently been diagnosed with an STD or are suffering from symptoms which might be from a sexually transmitted infection. 3) If you feel you have possibly been at risk of getting infected through sexual contact or injecting drug use. 4) People who come in to the clinic for a check-up with their partners at the start of a new sexual relationship.
During an STD Clinic appointment, it is very important to answer truthfully, as the tests you'll undergo will be based on the answers you provide. If you are unsure, be frank about it and explain that you want a clearer explanation about the questions asked. Some of the questions will be: 1) What are you really concerned about? 2) How many people have you had sex with recently and were they male or female (or both)? 3) What type of sex was it? (anal/oral,etc,)? 4) Have you ever been diagnosed with an STD before? 5) Are you taking any form of medication at the moment?
Don't wait call our toll-free number today to speak to one of our caring counselors.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Affordable Health Care Options For Portland's Uninsured
Being self-employed artists for nearly a decade, my husband and I
know what it means to go without health insurance and health care. We
practice preventative medicine such as exercising, eating healthy foods
and taking vitamins, and we are both relatively healthy. Fortunately for
us and many others like us, when we have had health-related problems,
we are residents of Portland, Oregon. In Portland there exists a wealth
of medical resources for low income families, from dentistry to
chiropractics to alternative medicines. One such resource is The
Coalition of Community Health Clinics, a group of 13 clinics that offer
quality health care to Portland residents who are uninsured,
underinsured and who would otherwise have no access to health care or
necessary treatments. Most of the clinics bill patients on a sliding
scale based on household income and many offer free emergency services
for those who cannot afford to pay for medical care.
Here are just a few of the affordable options available to those who do not currently have health insurance or are underinsured:
The West Burnside Chiropractic Clinic is a teaching clinic of the Western States Chiropractic College, located in downtown Portland. They care for people with both acute and chronic musculoskeletal (back/neck) pain and the services are free or by donation. I discovered WBCC in 2005, while suffering from a herniated disc in my lower back. I was unable to sit for almost 6 months, and received treatment each week of that 6 months without charge. I continued to go for maintenance and flare-ups for the next few years. In 2008 I was back again with debilitating low back pain and, again, I received excellent care. This time, I was back to my old self within 6 weeks.
OHSU Family Medicine at Richmond is also a teaching clinic and is located in SE Portland. This clinic provides general medical services as well as chiropractic and acupuncture. Office visits for qualifying patients cost $25. Compare that to $120, which is what I paid the last time I took my child to a pediatrician for an ear infection!
The Outside In Medical Clinic, also located downtown, focuses mainly on Portland's homeless youth and adults, as well as other low-income patients. They provide social, medical and mental health services, and a variety of disciplines including western, Chinese and naturopathic. They charge a $10 minimum sliding scale fee per visit.
Here are just a few of the affordable options available to those who do not currently have health insurance or are underinsured:
The West Burnside Chiropractic Clinic is a teaching clinic of the Western States Chiropractic College, located in downtown Portland. They care for people with both acute and chronic musculoskeletal (back/neck) pain and the services are free or by donation. I discovered WBCC in 2005, while suffering from a herniated disc in my lower back. I was unable to sit for almost 6 months, and received treatment each week of that 6 months without charge. I continued to go for maintenance and flare-ups for the next few years. In 2008 I was back again with debilitating low back pain and, again, I received excellent care. This time, I was back to my old self within 6 weeks.
OHSU Family Medicine at Richmond is also a teaching clinic and is located in SE Portland. This clinic provides general medical services as well as chiropractic and acupuncture. Office visits for qualifying patients cost $25. Compare that to $120, which is what I paid the last time I took my child to a pediatrician for an ear infection!
The Outside In Medical Clinic, also located downtown, focuses mainly on Portland's homeless youth and adults, as well as other low-income patients. They provide social, medical and mental health services, and a variety of disciplines including western, Chinese and naturopathic. They charge a $10 minimum sliding scale fee per visit.
Walk In Clinic - What You Need To Know
Waiting for hours to get a badly twisted ankle taken care of is
not your idea of proper medical care, is it? In addition to the waiting
time, you would also have to pay a hefty fee for the same. Little wonder
that more and more people are opting for the services of a nearby walk
in clinic when they are hit with urgent but non-life threatening medical
problems.
A walk in clinic is a clinic where it is possible for patients to meet a doctor in a short period of time, sometimes in as little as 10 minutes or half an hour. Not only is the medical care fast and convenient, it is also inexpensive when compared to the highly expensive costs of care in a regular hospital.
To many patients, a walk in clinic is more or less like a first line of defense against a number of medical conditions, ranging from allergies and minor injuries to occupational injuries and chronic illnesses. The same applies to routine check-ups and immunization shots. According to one patient, Jim Pooley, "The walk in clinic is the best place to go to if you want a doctor to examine you to make sure that the condition is or is not serious enough for a second opinion with your regular doctor."
Many people go to walk in clinics for conditions such as allergies, symptoms of flu, ear infection, bronchitis or cough, minor bruises, minor burns, sore throat, sprains, minor fractures and so on.
Walk in clinics are known by many names including urgent health care centers or retail health clinics. They have been around since the late 1970s when doctors became aware of the patient's need for convenient, quick and affordable health care for issues that were non-urgent but pressing nonetheless. However, walk in clinics really took off after 2006 when huge corporations like Walgreens and Wal-Mart opened shop with retail health clinics in their stores. Today, walk in clinics may be found in huge drugstores, malls and megastores, which is an indication of their huge popularity.
There are several reasons for this increase in popularity of walk in health clinics. One of the most important factors is inaccessibility to affordable and timely health care. According to a survey, approximately 42% of people who met a primary care physician could meet with a doctor only after a week. Figures such as these only go to show the pressing need for accessibility and convenience when it comes to primary health care.
When checking out the right walk in health clinic in your area of residence, make sure that you approach a facility that has experienced professionals at the helm.
A walk in clinic is a clinic where it is possible for patients to meet a doctor in a short period of time, sometimes in as little as 10 minutes or half an hour. Not only is the medical care fast and convenient, it is also inexpensive when compared to the highly expensive costs of care in a regular hospital.
To many patients, a walk in clinic is more or less like a first line of defense against a number of medical conditions, ranging from allergies and minor injuries to occupational injuries and chronic illnesses. The same applies to routine check-ups and immunization shots. According to one patient, Jim Pooley, "The walk in clinic is the best place to go to if you want a doctor to examine you to make sure that the condition is or is not serious enough for a second opinion with your regular doctor."
Many people go to walk in clinics for conditions such as allergies, symptoms of flu, ear infection, bronchitis or cough, minor bruises, minor burns, sore throat, sprains, minor fractures and so on.
Walk in clinics are known by many names including urgent health care centers or retail health clinics. They have been around since the late 1970s when doctors became aware of the patient's need for convenient, quick and affordable health care for issues that were non-urgent but pressing nonetheless. However, walk in clinics really took off after 2006 when huge corporations like Walgreens and Wal-Mart opened shop with retail health clinics in their stores. Today, walk in clinics may be found in huge drugstores, malls and megastores, which is an indication of their huge popularity.
There are several reasons for this increase in popularity of walk in health clinics. One of the most important factors is inaccessibility to affordable and timely health care. According to a survey, approximately 42% of people who met a primary care physician could meet with a doctor only after a week. Figures such as these only go to show the pressing need for accessibility and convenience when it comes to primary health care.
When checking out the right walk in health clinic in your area of residence, make sure that you approach a facility that has experienced professionals at the helm.
Health Insurance: 10 Ways To Reduce Health Insurance Quotes!
With today's Health Care Reform in process, people are in fear of
rising Health Insurance Costs. So looking for ways to reduce health
insurance and health care costs is at the top of everyone's list these
days. Who wouldn't want to pay less money for the same health care, or
better? Here are ten ways to reduce health insurance premium costs.
1. Find an HSA plan that's right for you. - These medical savings accounts are money pools you create by depositing 'before tax' income. You can then withdraw funds from the account for medically necessary items. This can include anything from office calls to prescriptions to over-the-counter allergy medicines. This is a 'before taxes' account, which saves you money right up front. These accounts give you a place to keep money, tax free, to pay for your deductible and co-payments, as well as medical and health related supplies.
2. Quit smoking or using nicotine of any kind - Smoking and chewing tobacco drives up insurance costs because there are associated health risks. When you quit your usage of nicotine products, you will not only feel better, but you will see your health insurance costs drop drastically.
3. Lose weight - Obesity is an ever-increasing concern with health insurance companies. Obesity can lead to health problems such as high cholesterol and diabetes, as well as back, hip, and knee problems. Many health insurance companies offer discounts if you are participating in a fitness program on a regular basis.
4. Higher deductible - The obvious way to lower personal health insurance costs is to assume a higher deductible. This will take more of the burden off the insurance company, which will mean they can charge less for your premiums.
5. Higher co-pay - Along with taking a higher deductible, assuming a higher co-payment amount will reduce the premium the insurance company will charge for your benefits. Instead of paying $20 per visit, see if there is a plan for $30 per visit, or more. Look at your past experience with office calls to see if you could save over the life of the policy in premiums charged using a higher co-pay.
6. Keep diabetes in check - Having regular blood work done to check for diabetes is essential to save on insurance costs. Having these routine check-ups can also offer the added benefit of getting proper medical attention if something does happen to surface. Keeping diabetes in check by maintaining a proper diet and fitness program can also help lower your rate. If you can keep your diabetes in check without medication, the insurance company does not have to pay for supplies, which means lower premium costs to you.
7. Improve your credit score - Many insurance companies actually pull your FICO score in order to determine what your premiums will be. Improving your credit scores will show the insurance companies you are a good investment. Higher FICO Scores = Lower Monthly Payments
8. Buy generic - Generic medications cost much less to produce and to distribute, and the savings are passed on to you. Also, some insurance policies no longer cover name brand drugs, so if you want the well-known 'label' you'll pay the extra cost right out of your pocket.
9. Use walk in clinics - Walk in health clinics, or 'retail clinics' are popping up all over. You'll find clinics in malls, drug stores and even in large retail outlets. These clinics offer simple services like vaccines, routine checkups and even blood work, all without an appointment. Check their rates and compare to your primary physicians office. You may be surprised what you can save.
10. Use urgent care clinics - Urgent care clinics are similar to an emergency room, but without much of the specialized equipment. These clinics are more suited to everyday emergencies, like issues requiring x-rays, bandages and stitches, but not for surgeries. Many times, these smaller clinics are much cheaper than going to a full fledged emergency room and have a lower co-payment because they bill as a clinic instead of an emergency care facility
1. Find an HSA plan that's right for you. - These medical savings accounts are money pools you create by depositing 'before tax' income. You can then withdraw funds from the account for medically necessary items. This can include anything from office calls to prescriptions to over-the-counter allergy medicines. This is a 'before taxes' account, which saves you money right up front. These accounts give you a place to keep money, tax free, to pay for your deductible and co-payments, as well as medical and health related supplies.
2. Quit smoking or using nicotine of any kind - Smoking and chewing tobacco drives up insurance costs because there are associated health risks. When you quit your usage of nicotine products, you will not only feel better, but you will see your health insurance costs drop drastically.
3. Lose weight - Obesity is an ever-increasing concern with health insurance companies. Obesity can lead to health problems such as high cholesterol and diabetes, as well as back, hip, and knee problems. Many health insurance companies offer discounts if you are participating in a fitness program on a regular basis.
4. Higher deductible - The obvious way to lower personal health insurance costs is to assume a higher deductible. This will take more of the burden off the insurance company, which will mean they can charge less for your premiums.
5. Higher co-pay - Along with taking a higher deductible, assuming a higher co-payment amount will reduce the premium the insurance company will charge for your benefits. Instead of paying $20 per visit, see if there is a plan for $30 per visit, or more. Look at your past experience with office calls to see if you could save over the life of the policy in premiums charged using a higher co-pay.
6. Keep diabetes in check - Having regular blood work done to check for diabetes is essential to save on insurance costs. Having these routine check-ups can also offer the added benefit of getting proper medical attention if something does happen to surface. Keeping diabetes in check by maintaining a proper diet and fitness program can also help lower your rate. If you can keep your diabetes in check without medication, the insurance company does not have to pay for supplies, which means lower premium costs to you.
7. Improve your credit score - Many insurance companies actually pull your FICO score in order to determine what your premiums will be. Improving your credit scores will show the insurance companies you are a good investment. Higher FICO Scores = Lower Monthly Payments
8. Buy generic - Generic medications cost much less to produce and to distribute, and the savings are passed on to you. Also, some insurance policies no longer cover name brand drugs, so if you want the well-known 'label' you'll pay the extra cost right out of your pocket.
9. Use walk in clinics - Walk in health clinics, or 'retail clinics' are popping up all over. You'll find clinics in malls, drug stores and even in large retail outlets. These clinics offer simple services like vaccines, routine checkups and even blood work, all without an appointment. Check their rates and compare to your primary physicians office. You may be surprised what you can save.
10. Use urgent care clinics - Urgent care clinics are similar to an emergency room, but without much of the specialized equipment. These clinics are more suited to everyday emergencies, like issues requiring x-rays, bandages and stitches, but not for surgeries. Many times, these smaller clinics are much cheaper than going to a full fledged emergency room and have a lower co-payment because they bill as a clinic instead of an emergency care facility
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Why Do I Need a GUM Clinic?
GUM clinic stands for Genito Urinary Medicine Clinic. These are
also sometimes known as Sexual Health Clinics. If you have a sexual
health problem, then you can either go to your GP or attend a sexual
health walk in clinic.
Many people prefer the anonymity of a walk in clinic and may even prefer to attend a walk in clinic in another town.
When should you seek advice?
It is time to contact a clinic or your local GP if you experience the following symptoms
In the UK, the options are to get free testing via the National Health Service (NHS) or to arrange for private testing.
Clinics offer more than just sexual health testing though. They frequently offer services such as post exposure prophylaxis. Post exposure prohylaxis is a treatment that may stop you becoming HIV positive if you have been exposed to the virus.
They may also offer HIV services for clients living with the condition and counselling for those who have suffered sexual assault.
Many people prefer the anonymity of a walk in clinic and may even prefer to attend a walk in clinic in another town.
When should you seek advice?
It is time to contact a clinic or your local GP if you experience the following symptoms
- Itching or swelling around vagina or penis
- Discharge from around vagina or penis
- Frequent urination
- Pain in urination
- Pain during sex
- Lumps or blisters around vagina or penis
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis
- HIV testing
- Cystitis
- Genital Warts
- Genital Herpes
- Hepatitis
In the UK, the options are to get free testing via the National Health Service (NHS) or to arrange for private testing.
Clinics offer more than just sexual health testing though. They frequently offer services such as post exposure prophylaxis. Post exposure prohylaxis is a treatment that may stop you becoming HIV positive if you have been exposed to the virus.
They may also offer HIV services for clients living with the condition and counselling for those who have suffered sexual assault.
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