December 2018

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Stroke Support Group Meets December 11       

Many stroke survivors and their caregivers need help adjusting to the changes in their lives. Connecting with others who are in the same position can be incredibly beneficial. UM BWMC's stroke support group will gather on Tuesday, December 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Padussis Conference Center (third floor of the main hospital). The group is for stroke survivors, high-risk stroke candidates and anyone interested in learning about stroke prevention and recovery. Reservations are not required. Call 410-787-4138 or visit our website for more information. 
Mental Health Support Group Meets December 12      
UM BWMC's free mental health support group for community members meets Wednesday, December 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Room A of the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) located on the second floor of UM BWMC. The program covers a variety of mental health topics such as depression, anxiety, addictions and bipolar disorder. Reservations are not requested. For more information, call 410-553-8070.        
Urgent Care vs ED: Where to Go and When?

It is 7 p.m. on a Tuesday evening and you are preparing dinner. You begin cutting a potato and instead slice your finger. The pain isn't terrible, but the cut looks deep and is bleeding badly. So, what do you do? Do you visit your local emergency department?  Or your nearest urgent care center?

This is a type of dilemma many people face. Urgent care centers are opening in many locations, but most people don't know what makes them different from emergency departments.

When to Go to Urgent Care
Urgent care centers like ChoiceOne Urgent Care, a partner with UM BWMC, are perfect for most non-emergency situations. They're also ideal if something happens outside of your primary care provider's normal business hours. For example, most ChoiceOne Urgent Care clinics are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year.

You should visit an urgent care center if you experience any of the following:

* Minor fractures
* X-rays                                                                       
* Back pain
* Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea                                
* Minor headaches                                             
* Bumps, cuts and scrapes                                          
* Fever                                                            
* Ear or sinus pain                                                      
* Cough or sore throat                                        
* Animal bites
* Stitches
* Sprains and strains
* Mild asthma
* Foreign objects in the eyes or nose
* Allergies
* Rashes and minor burns
* Burning with urination
* Eye irritation, swelling or pain
* Minor allergic reactions
* Cold or flu symptoms
* Or if you need blood work, lab services or vaccinations

When to Go to the Emergency Department
Emergency departments are perfect for emergency situations. If you have a life-threatening condition, go straight to your nearest ED. Such conditions include:

* Chest pain
* Difficulty breathing
* Stroke
* Head trauma
* Severe bleeding
* Loss of vision

The difference between urgent care and emergency rooms is the severity of the health problem. If the condition is life-threatening, go to an emergency room.

Fore more information, please visit our website. And remember - when in doubt, always call 911!
Facebook Live: Urgent Care vs ED

       
 
Dr. Chirag Chaudhari, Chair of Emergency Medicine at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center and Dr. Scott Burger, Chief Medical Officer of ChoiceOne Urgent Care will explain the difference between urgent care and the emergency department and where you should go depending on your condition. To view the event or submit a question, please visit UM BWMC's official Facebook page on Tuesday, December 18 at 11 a.m.   
Red Cross Blood Drive is December 28 
   
       
 
The need for blood is always great but especially near the holiday season and upcoming winter months. On Friday, December 28 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., UM BWMC will host an American Red Cross blood drive. To give blood donors must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the last 56 days or donated doubled red cells in the last 112 days. To give, you can register online or call 410-553-8103. 
Save the Date - Heartbeat for Health is February 23! 
       
Heartbeat for Health, UM BWMC's annual heart health event, will take place Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Y in Arnold. This free, informative and fun-filled event celebrates the benefits of dance and exercise in the prevention of heart disease, and offers free health screenings and wellness education. More information will be available in the coming months.   
Want to Know More?

See a full listing of events and programs by visiting umbwmc.org/community
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For more information, contact the Community Outreach Department at 410-553-8103.