10TV: Determining where to go for healthcare

Later this month, OhioHealth will open a 24/7, eight-bed, freestanding emergency department in Ontario, near Mansfield. On September 13, a similar facility will open in Hilliard. Over the next several months, OhioHealth freestanding emergency departments will also open in Reynoldsburg, Powell, Obetz, New Albany and Worthington. These emergency care centers will provide the same full-service, 24/7 emergency care for the same life-threatening conditions as hospital-based emergency departments. In central Ohio, care will be provided by the same board-certified emergency physicians who practice at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center and OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.

With this new access to care in many communities, it begs the question: “Where do I go when I need care?” Patients have a variety of options when health issues arise – primary care, urgent care and emergency care. OhioHealth is committed to helping patients determine how to find the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

• Primary Care – One of the great benefits of having a primary care physician is the continuity of care you receive through your ongoing medical relationship. This includes things like preventative care, wellness care and chronic disease management.
• Urgent Care – Urgent care provides convenient care for conditions that are not life-threatening, yet need to be addressed promptly, like flu-like symptoms, minor eye infections and minor breaks, sprains and strains.
• Emergency Care – Emergency care is for severe life threatening conditions, such as difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding or suspected poisoning. Due to being open 24/7 and having specialized physicians and equipment for the most severe situations, this type of care is the most expensive.

To learn more about where to go when for healthcare, click here.  

One way we are teaching the community how to find appropriate care is by “popping up” at various community events with fun, interactive activities. This experience features multiple games, including a live game show host leading contestants through a match play game. OhioHealth EMS vehicle and staff will be available to teach hands-only CPR. After completing the experiences, visitors will receive a gift and have the chance to win a FitBit. The pop-up experience was recently at the Richland County Fair and will be at the Old Hilliard Fest on September 9.

10TV anchor and Commit to Be Fit reporter Jeff Hogan recently visited the Hilliard location to learn more about emergency care and to test his knowledge in the interactive experience. You can view the video above.

Also, make sure to download the OhioHealth app to find an OhioHealth Physician Group primary care physician or to locate your closest emergency department or urgent care. On the app, you can also view urgent care estimated wait times, book an Uber ride (please call 911 in an emergency) and view additional conditions to help you decide where to go for care.