Ashtabula County Medical Center | ACMC Pulse | Summer 2020

good not so good getting worse seriously ill My doctor VISIT checklist This checklist can help you communicate better with your doctor. Fill it out and take it with you to your appointment. You might also use it to prepare for calls to your doctor’s office about your care. The reason for my visit I am most concerned about . What the doctor needs to know I have these new or worsening symptoms: . My health has changed recently (taking new medications, recovering from surgery, etc.): . I have these limitations (poor vision, difficulty walking, memory problems, etc.): . Your health/treatment Questions to ask + + Do you have any follow-up instructions for me? Can I get those in writing? + + When will I get the test results from my visit? + + When should I schedule my next appointment? + + When should I expect to see improvement? + + If there is no improvement, what should I do? + + How should I contact you if I have questions after this visit? Staying well Questions to ask + + Does my family health history raise my risk for any health problems? + + What vaccines, screenings or medical tests do I need? + + What are some steps you think I should take to stay healthy? I feel Need emergency care? Call 911. mammogram for women when they reach age 40 or a colonoscopy for patients at age 50— because the same provider or team of providers is reviewing the medical record each time the patient is seen. Convenient care Because becoming sick isn’t something anyone plans for, both family health centers will continue to offer same-day services for its patients. The difference is that now, patients call to make a same-day appointment rather than just walking in. Same-day appointments replace the walk-in, no-appointment-needed Express Cares in Conneaut and Geneva. ACMC will continue to offer Express Care services in Ashtabula and Jefferson. Most patients requesting a same-day appointment at Conneaut or Geneva will be seen by the nurse practitioner, much like they would have been under the walk-in Express Care model. Individuals who request a same-day appointment and aren’t already an established patient in that practice will be asked if they’d also like to schedule a new patient appointment with the doctor. They will still be able to see the nurse practitioner that day for the same-day appointment, but the new patient appointment with the physician may be scheduled for a few weeks or months out. Appointments at both locations are available as early as 7:20 a.m. and as late as 5:40 p.m., Monday through Friday. The schedule in Geneva is slightly different on Tuesdays, with appointments available from 7:40 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Having a regular primary care provider enables the patient and provider to develop a relationship. The provider gets to know the patient not just as a patient, but also as a person. ACMC Pulse • acmchealth.org 5