As human beings we are prone to incidents and accidents that can be prevented or are out of our control. Within all the modern pandemonium that we are living through, there are still resources resources available in Omaha to take care of our health.
Maria Sotuyo, health professional and clinical manager of the OneWorld community health center in South Omaha, spoke with El Perico about the importance of having health resources on hand for the community, especially for immigrants.
In a Zoom conversation with El Perico, she explained the necessity of knowing how to differentiate between what is an emergency, an urgency and preventive care.
The first tip to know is that an emergency room, or ER, “should be used when you are at risk.”
OneWorld does not have an ER, but practicioners take care of urgent medical situations at their rapid clinics, which are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The community health center also offers medical appointments or appointments for preventive care at the many health centers, and patients can call (402) 734-4110 to set up an appointment.
But what’s the difference between an emergency and an urgency? Emergencies are all those unforeseen matters or situations that put someone’s health at risk, for which they require immediate medical attention. Sotuyo points out that emergency rooms have the necessary equipment to treat this situation.
On the other hand, an urgency is when there is an injury or illness that is not life-threatening, but needs to be treated at least within 48 hours and cannot wait for a doctor’s appointment.
“OneWorld has a call screening system and we let the patient know what to do. Sometimes, some patients say ‘why don’t you want to treat me?’ It’s not that we don’t want to treat someone, it’s that we must identify if it is an emergency, so that we can refer them to the appropriate center”, says Sotuyo.
Urgencies include:
- Sprains
- Stitches
- Minor Fractures
- Nausea, vomit or diarrhea
- Dermatitis
- Minor allergic reactions
- Flu, cold, sore throat or earache
- Strain
- Cuts or scuffs that don’t need stitches
- To obtain more medication or to renew a prescription
- Diaper rash.
Emergencies are:
- Bone fractures
- Stab or firearm injury
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Going into labor and/or bleeding
- Intense chest pain or heart attack
- Drug/meds overdose
- Intoxication
- Severe burn
- Shock (sweating, feeling very thirsty, feeling very dizzy or having very pale skin)
- Seizures
- Having trouble breathing
- Not being able to see, move, or talk.
It’s important to note that according to the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA), which was approved by the United States Congress in 1986, health centers are obligated to offer medical attention in emergencies, as long as the clinic has Medicare, since private doctors’ offices are not obligated to follow this law, according to the Abogados.com website.
Sotuyo points out that when entering the emergency room of any clinic, the patient’s data will be requested in the form of an ID that clarifies that it is the person they are treating. Any identification issued by a country is valid.
You will also be asked if you have any health insurance. If someone does not insurance, each health center has organizations for financial support to which they can go to and receive the requested funds. Sometimes, part of the debt may be forgiven.
It’s important to remember that immigration status does not determine medical care.
“Health centers are not organizations that focus on immigration status since, by law, they must take care of emergency patients. It is also important to know the age of the patient because with this it is possible to verify the treatment or adequate dose for any medication”, she added.
She emphasized that emergency rooms have a higher cost than routine medical check-up, so you have to be aware of how to make good use of them.
“There are people who go to the emergency room for the flu and if a bleeding patient arrives, they will give priority to the latter,” he said.
Recommended preventive care exams
Depending on our age and lifestyle, we should take tests to prevent diseases. The OneWorld manager urged the community to get routine annual medical check-ups to prevent illnesses. That includes children, who, she said, must receive the required vaccines, especially against the flu.
Below, we list by the recommended tests by age, presented on the US government Medline Plus website. However, your primary care doctor will indicate which are the right tests according to your lifestyle.
Between 18- 39 years of age
- Blood pressure exam.
- Cholesterol screening (For both sexes. Men starting at 35 years of age)
- Diabetes.
- Dental exam.
- Eye test.
- Screening for infection diseases.
- Physical exam.
- Cancer screening. (women)
- Testicular screening. (men)
- Cervical cancer screening. (women)
- Skin self-examination.
- Vaccination update.
40 – 64 years of age
- Blood pressure exam.
- Breast cancer screening (women).
- Cervical cancer screening (women).
- Colorectal cancer.
- Lung cancer.
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes.
- Infectious diseases.
- Testicular screening. (men)
- Osteoporosis screening. (For women starting at 40 years of age, for men starting at 55 years of age)
- Eye test.
- Prostate cancer screening (for men, as their doctor requires. It’s recommended to do this starting at 50 years of age).
- Skin exam.
- Physical exam.
- Vaccination update.
Over 65 years of age
- All previous exams.
- Heart disease screening.
- Hearing exam.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (men).
It is important to highlight that you should always have the emergency number of the health center closest to your home or workplace, on your mobile or on a piece of paper on your fridge. We reiterate that the OneWorld community health center does not have an emergency room.
You can call for medical appointments or preemptive healthcare at their main facility.Medical Appointment: (402) 734-4110
Appointments for Women’s Health: (402) 734-4110
Dental Appointments: (402) 932-7204
Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program Clinic (WIC): (402) 734-2028