Choosing between the two types of facilities depends on the nature and severity of the medical issue. EDs can handle a wide spectrum of situations affecting a person’s health but are best utilized when treating patients with medical emergencies ranging from severe injuries to life-threatening conditions. Specialized ED staff manage these critical situations and traumas. Emergency Departments typically prioritize patients based on the acuteness of their condition. Due to this, wait times can vary, and individuals with less urgent issues may experience longer wait times.

Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) is a regional transfer center and operates Kentucky’s only level II Trauma Center, providing a higher level of care and receiving trauma patients facing life-threatening medical emergencies from across the region.

In order to expedite care to patients facing injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening, PMC operates two urgent care clinics, one in Pikeville and one in Prestonsburg. Common conditions treated at urgent care include pulled muscles, minor fractures, cuts, infections and flu-like symptoms. PMC Urgent Care clinics also provide extended hours, which include evenings and weekends, to accommodate individuals with busy schedules. Patients can walk in without an appointment and receive timely care for non-emergency medical issues.

When facing an illness or injury, patients should consider whether or not the condition is “urgent” or “emergent.” Knowing the difference can determine the type of care that needs to be given and the amount of time spent waiting to be seen by a healthcare provider.

For PMC Urgent Care Clinic locations and hours of operation, visit www.pmcky.org and clock on the “Locations” tab.

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This certification ensures PMC employees in these areas have received extensive training and are equipped to offer comprehensive care to patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“Since the opening of PMC’s Appalachian Valley Autism (AVA) Center in 2020, there has been an increased focus on making sure other key service lines are equipped to care for patients on the autism spectrum,” explained AVP of Physician Practices, Stormie Adkins, MSN-RN, CJCP. “In the past several years, we have been made acutely aware that the number of those in our region with ASD greatly exceeds our initial estimates.  Because of this, our efforts to better treat these patients have increased dramatically.”

The IBCCES CAC designation requires staff to complete autism training and certification to ensure they can better treat and manage the care of patients on the autism spectrum or with sensory needs. Those with autism typically have different needs related to communication, pain perception and other treatments. The IBCCES program was created by clinical experts as well as individuals on the autism spectrum to ensure a well-rounded approach.

“IBCCES is excited to work with another Pikeville Medical Center department to further the team’s commitment and ability to provide better care to autistic and sensory-sensitive patients,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman. “Implementing lasting and impactful programs such as our position-specific training and certification is important to meet the needs of the whole community the Urgent Care and Family Wellness Center serves.”

In addition to the departments at the Urgent Care & Family Wellness Center being named Certified Autism Centers, the Appalachian Valley Autism (AVA) Center and the PMC Emergency Department (ED) proudly hold that designation, both having recently been re-accredited by the IBCCES. In 2021, the PMC ED made headlines when it was the first emergency department in Kentucky to earn the Certified Autism Center designation.

For more information about the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, visit www.ibcces.org.

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When a patient is facing a non-life threatening illness or injury, an urgent care clinic is the place to go. Urgent care clinics help to fill that time gap when a patient becomes sick or injured and cannot wait for an appointment with their care provider.

Patients can find PMC Urgent Care facilities at two convenient locations in Pikeville and Prestonsburg. The Urgent Care & Family Wellness Center in Pikeville is open daily from 8am – 8pm and the Prestonsburg urgent care clinic accepts patients Monday through Saturday from 8am – 8pm.  Appointments are not required at either urgent care locations.

Utilizing an urgent care clinic reduces the wait time which helps patients get the medical care they need quickly.

URGENT CARE

is for when you can’t wait for an appointment with your doctor, but you don’t quite need an emergency room

• Fever without a rash
• Vomiting or persistent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Dehydration
• Moderate flu-like symptoms
• Strains and sprains
• Small cuts that may require stitches

When a patient is facing a life threatening illness or injury, the nearest emergency department is the place to go as fast as possible.

PMC’s Emergency Department (ED) is “pediatric ready” and is a certified autism center. The ED includes two trauma bays, three triage bays, psychological monitoring, on-site digital x-rays and CT scans. The ED features a dedicated 320 slice scanner. The department is now a better equipped facility, offering quicker response times, much faster access to CT scans and a quicker turnaround on lab work.

EMERGENT CARE

is for when your life is at-risk or you have a severe illness or injury and you need immediate medical help

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Weakness/numbness on one side
• Slurred speech
• Fainting/change in mental state
• Serious burns
• Head or eye injury
• Concussion/confusion
• Fever with a rash
• Seizures
• Facial lacerations
• Severe cuts that may require stitches
• Broken bones and dislocated joints
• Severe cold or flu symptoms
• Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy

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When cold weather sets in for the winter, it is known that there will be an influx in cases of colds, flu, viruses and respiratory illnesses. Primary care providers encourage patients to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date for themselves and their children. In addition, simple actions can be taken to boost the immune system and reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses throughout winter, such as staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest and sneezing or coughing into a tissue or the inner bend of the elbow.

Healthcare providers encourage patients to remain active during winter months with caution. Anyone walking or running in the cold weather should layer clothing and warm up with some light stretching activities. Those with known heart conditions should consult their doctor prior to shoveling snow, which is also an activity known to cause back injuries when not done correctly.

A family physician or a primary care provider is widely considered to be the “gatekeeper “of one’s health. Those who do not have one are encouraged to find one.  For more information about primary care providers at Pikeville Medical Center, please visit www.pmcky.org/services/family-practice-providers/.

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