Taking a Proactive Approach to Wellness
At Hometown Hospital, your family’s health and wellness is our top priority. For us, it starts with a commitment to excellence in the fundamental health services that include primary care, preventive care and treatment. By providing excellence in these three areas, we can help ensure a lifetime of wellness for you and your family.
Primary Care
Primary care is the foundation of healthcare. Your primary care provider (PCP) is your first point of contact for general health concerns, routine check-ups, and non-emergency medical issues. Regular visits to your PCP help in:
- Managing Chronic Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma are better controlled with ongoing monitoring and adjustments to treatment plans.
- Coordinating Care: Your PCP can refer you to specialists and coordinate your care to ensure all aspects of your health are managed effectively.
- Health Education: PCPs provide valuable information on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and mental health.
- Medication Management: PCPs help ensure that you take the correct medications at the right doses helps to manage chronic conditions effectively.
How often should you see a PCP? Children and adolescents should have regular well-child visits from birth to age 21 according to a schedule based on age. Adults age 21-49 should do so at least once every three years, but more frequently if there are health concerns or chronic conditions. Anyone 50 and older should see a PCP at least once a year to manage age-related health changes and screenings.
What does a typical PCP visit include? A regular visit will often include the following:
- Medical History: A discussion of personal and family medical history.
- Vital Signs: Measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature.
- Physical Exam: A general check-up, including the heart, lungs, abdomen, and other areas based on age and health.
- Preventive Screenings: Routine tests and screenings based on age, gender, and risk factors.
- Health Counseling: Advice on healthy lifestyle choices, diet, exercise, and mental health.
- Vaccinations: Updates on necessary immunizations.
Which healthcare providers offer primary care? Several types of healthcare professionals are considered primary care providers. They include:
- Family Medicine Physicians: Provide care for all age groups, from infants to the elderly.
- Internal Medicine Physicians: Specialize in adult medicine and focus on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases.
- Pediatricians: Specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents.
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs): Provide primary care services, often working in collaboration with physicians.
Preventive Care and Health Screenings
Preventive care involves measures taken to prevent diseases before they occur. Regular health screenings and vaccinations are key components of preventive care. Your primary care provider will conduct certain screenings during a physical examination and may recommend additional tests or procedures through a lab or diagnostic imaging facility. Major screening categories include:
Vital Signs
- Blood Pressure: helps detect hypertension, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
- Heart Rate: checks for irregularities, a possible sign of heart problems or arrhythmia.
- Respiratory Rate: assesses lung function, an indicator of possible adverse health conditions.
- Body Temperature: indicates infections or other health issues and helps guide treatment.
Blood Tests
- Cholesterol: measures LDL and HDL levels, which are risk factors for heart disease.
- Triglycerides: assesses fat levels in the blood, which impact arterial and heart health.
- A1C: monitors blood sugar levels, which are a risk factor for diabetes.
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): screens for prostate cancer in men.
Non-Cancer Screenings
- Cardiac Screenings: ECG, stress tests, and echocardiograms assess overall heart health.
- Pulmonary Function Tests: assesses lung capacity and function.
- Bone Density Tests: screens for osteoporosis.
Cancer Screenings:
- Breast Cancer: a mammogram is recommended starting at age 40-45.
- Colorectal Cancer: a colonoscopy is recommended starting at age 45.
- Cervical Cancer: a Pap smear is recommended starting at age 21.
- Prostate Cancer: a PSA test is recommended starting at age 50, or earlier based on risk factors.
Therapeutic Treatment
Therapeutic treatments are used to manage and treat existing health conditions. These treatments can be medical, surgical, or a combination of both, depending on the condition.
- Physical Therapy: Helps in recovery from injuries or surgeries, and in managing conditions such as arthritis, pelvic floor dysfunction and balance issues.
- Occupational Therapy: Assists in regaining skills needed for daily living and working.
- Speech Therapy: Addresses speech and swallowing disorders.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Specific therapies to help heart patients recover and improve their health.
- Respiratory Therapy: Treatment for chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD.
- Mental Health Services: Counseling and therapy for managing conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders.
- Pain Management: Techniques and treatments to manage chronic pain.
- Infusion Services: Treatments administered intravenously, such as antibiotics or blood transfusions.
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