Dignity Health | hello Healthy | Summer 2018

2 DignityHealth.org/central-california | Summer 2018 We hope you enjoy this issue of HelloHealthy . Comments about this publication can be directed to the Marketing and Communications Department: DIGNITY HEALTH – St. Joseph’s Medical Center SJMCinfo@DignityHealth.org or 209.467.6348 HelloHealthy is published by Dignity Health – St. Joseph’s Medical Center to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2018 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. ER or urgent care? Tips to help you choose When you or a loved one is facing an illness or injury, it can be hard to determine how serious it is and how soon to seek medical care. Here are a few tips to help you decide. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you are experiencing: ●  ● Signs of a stroke, including face drooping or weakness on one side or slurred or strange speech. ●  ● Signs of a heart attack, including chest pain, pain in the left arm or jaw, or sudden weakness or dizziness lasting longer than two minutes. ●  ● Loss of consciousness, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or a life- or limb-threatening injury. ●  ● Poisoning or drug overdose, severe abdominal pain, pressure or tightness in the chest, head injury with loss of consciousness, persistent or severe vomiting, bleeding that won’t stop, or a large open wound. Let us know when you’ll be arriving No one plans on a medical emergency, but we do know kindness makes a world of difference in those moments. Rest assured that our emergency department is ready to provide expert care to you and your family. We also know it’s nice to have an estimated time of arrival. For emergencies that are not life-threatening, please visit StJosephsCares.org/ER and select your preferred arrival time. Then do some of your waiting in the comfort of your own home. We’re here for you no matter what, whether it is stomach pain or an ankle sprain. This service is for patients over the age of 3. If the patient does not meet this age requirement or this is a life-threatening emergency, please go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. Please note, we see patients in order of severity. Once you arrive in the ER, we will establish priority based on need. Check us out For more information, visit StJosephsCares.org/ EmergencyServices . Be inspired Follo w @humankindness on Twitter for more kindness inspiration from Dignity Health. Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/ StJosephsStockton for health tips, information about upcoming events and an extra dose of inspiration. Facebook “f”Logo Go to an urgent care center: ●  ● If your problem is not life-threatening and does not put you at risk for disability, but you are concerned and you cannot see your regular doctor right away. In an emergency, every second counts. St. Joseph’s ER is a designated stroke and heart attack receiving center, which means you’ll get the lifesaving care you need—fast.