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Mercy Urgent Care

Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Columbus, Waynesville & Weaverville NC

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Keely Knopp

Surge in upper respiratory issues

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Recently, Mercy Urgent Care has seen a surge in patients experiencing upper respiratory issues, ranging from current viral infections to airborne irritants to long COVID. Upper respiratory issues primarily affect the nose, throat and sinuses, with symptoms that include:

  • persistent cough
  • nasal congestion
  • sore throat
  • postnasal drip (a feeling of mucus dripping down the throat, which can cause a cough, throat irritation and/or the need to clear the throat frequently)
  • fatigue and weakness

For anyone experiencing these or other symptoms of upper respiratory distress, Mercy is here to provide you with the care you need. Our compassionate team of healthcare professionals is trained to evaluate your symptoms and help you find relief, so you can get back to feeling your best.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT YOUR NEAREST MERCY URGENT CARE

In the meantime, here are a few steps you can take to alleviate symptoms at home, before or after your appointment:

  • Stay hydrated, but avoid caffeine or alcohol, which can have the opposite effect. Water, juice, clear broths and warm lemon water can help soothe sore throats and loosen congestion. 
  • Get plenty of rest. If possible, stay home from work or school to give your body a chance to heal while reducing the risk of infecting others.
  • Use a humidifier to ease coughing and congestion, but be sure to keep the device clean to prevent growth of bacteria or molds.
  • Gargle saltwater to temporarily relieve a scratchy throat. Mayo Clinic suggests dissolving one-quarter to a half teaspoon of salt in a 4- to 8-ounce glass of warm water.
  • Take over-the-counter cold medicines as directed on the package. Decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers may be helpful for symptom relief for adults and children over 5 — though they won’t shorten a cold’s duration.

If symptoms persist or worsen beyond what you’d expect from the common cold, visit us at any of Mercy’s eight Western North Carolina locations to determine whether additional measures are needed to help combat the illness or infection.

Some upper respiratory symptoms may be linked to long COVID, a condition where individuals experience prolonged symptoms even after recovering from the acute phase of COVID-19. If you have previously had COVID-19 and continue to experience these symptoms, visit us at Mercy or seek advice from your health care provider to better manage your symptoms.

Impending Update to Federal Drug Screening Policies

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Mercy Occupational Medicine would like to inform employers of an impending update to federal drug screening policies for all DOT-regulated employees. Soon employers may be able to choose to opt for oral fluid collection (rather than urine collection) as their primary method for drug screening.

Because this change will leave the method for collection up to employers rather than individual employees, it is crucial to share this information with your human resources department and update all policies and procedures surrounding employee drug screenings to ensure a smooth transition to this new option.

Here are a few key points to verify or consider updating in your company’s policies:

Choice for Initial Collection: Employers will need to decide whether to opt for oral fluid collection or continue using urine collection as the primary method for drug screening.

Shy Bladder Protocol: Employers must determine how to proceed when an employee is willing but unable to provide a urine sample. Policies should outline whether to continue with urine collection (providing up to a three-hour waiting period) or switch to oral fluid collection for these cases.

Same-Gender Availability for Observed Collections: In cases where a same-gender collector is unavailable for observed collections, employers have the option to either send the employee to another location where this requirement can be met or switch to oral fluid collection.

Choice of Observed Tests: Employers must decide in company policies whether they prefer oral fluid or urine testing for observed tests. However, please note that all observed tests for transgender and non-binary individuals will utilize the oral fluid collection method.

Though this new policy is not yet in effect, we encourage employers to update all drug screening protocols at this time. Mercy Occupational Medicine is available to answer any questions related to oral testing, which is currently available for non-DOT drug screening.

As soon as the approved testing kit is announced and made available, Mercy Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine can begin implementing oral fluid testing in DOT drug screenings for your company — should you choose that option. Remember: Employees will not have the opportunity to choose. The choice of testing methodology will be at the employer’s discretion, as outlined in company policies and protocols. 

If you have any questions about oral fluid testing, updating your policies or scheduling testing services, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our experienced staff is well-equipped to answer any questions you may have and provide the necessary support for updating your HR protocols accordingly. To learn more about how Mercy can guide you through this transition, contact Corie Bell or Jackie Ramos at mom@mercyurgentcare.org, or call 828.274.6707.

What is worker’s comp?

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As an employer, one of your primary responsibilities is ensuring the safety and well-being of your workforce. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries can occur in any work environment, and that’s where workers’ compensation comes into play.

Workers’ compensation is a system that provides benefits to employees who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses, ensuring that employees receive medical treatment and financial support while protecting employers from potential lawsuits. At its core, workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that benefits employees and employers alike.

What does workers’ compensation entail?

Medical Treatment: Workers’ compensation covers the costs associated with medical treatment, including doctor’s visits, hospitalization, medication, surgeries and rehabilitation. Prompt medical attention not only aids in the employee’s recovery but also minimizes the risk of long-term complications.

Wage Replacement: In situations where an injury or illness prevents an employee from working, workers’ compensation provides wage replacement benefits. These benefits typically amount to a percentage of the employee’s regular wages and help to mitigate financial strain during the recovery period.

Disability Benefits: Workers’ compensation may also provide disability benefits to employees who experience temporary or permanent disabilities due to their work-related condition. The amount and duration of disability benefits depend on the severity and impact of the disability on the employee’s ability to work.

Vocational Rehabilitation: In cases where an employee is unable to return to their previous position, workers’ compensation can cover vocational rehabilitation services. These services assist in retraining or finding suitable employment opportunities for the affected employee.

Legal Protection: By providing workers’ compensation coverage, employers gain legal protection from potential lawsuits related to workplace injuries or illnesses. In most cases, employees who receive workers’ compensation benefits are generally unable to sue their employers for additional damages.

How Mercy Occupational Medicine can help

Here at Mercy, we understand the importance of timely and accurate workers’ compensation claims management. We offer comprehensive services to assist employers in navigating the process, providing expert evaluation and assistance with prompt reporting, thorough documentation, claims review, medical care and return-to-work plans for injured employees.

Partnering with Mercy Occupational Medicine can help your company streamline the claims process, while also ensuring your workforce receives prompt and accurate care. Remember: By prioritizing workers’ well-being, you create a safer and more supportive work environment while mitigating potential financial and legal risks. To learn more about how Mercy can help your company with workers’ compensation, contact Jon Medin at jmedin@mercyurgentcare.org or call 828.252.3443.

Mental health awareness month

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With rates of depression, anxiety, stress and burnout skyrocketing in the last few years, it’s no secret that mental health can take a toll on the workplace, affecting everything from productivity to accident risk and more. However, employers can help alleviate these issues in their companies — whether it’s reducing stressful situations on the job or connecting workers to mental health resources — and there’s no better time to take action than during Mental Health Awareness Month this May.

According to the CDC, depression alone is estimated to cause 200 million lost workdays each year, costing employers between $17 and $44 billion annually. In any given three-month period, employees with depression tend to miss an average of 4.8 workdays and suffer 11.5 days of reduced productivity. What’s more, a huge chunk of the American population — nearly one of every 10 people — reports experiencing some form of depressive episode each year, with roughly 53 million U.S. adults diagnosed with some form of mental illness.

It’s important for employers to remember, though, that while mental health is just as important as physical health, far more people lack access to mental health care services — or avoid seeking treatment altogether due to the various stigmas surrounding mental health. But, with proper care and treatment management plans, a vast majority of those who experience these often debilitating symptoms report improvement, both at home and on the job. (For more information on how to help an employee that may be struggling with mental health, click here.)

Mercy Occupational Medicine understands the need for accessible, affordable mental healthcare in Western North Carolina, which is why we are pleased to now offer mental health services through our Mercy Mindful program.

Mercy Mindful can provide your employees with the care they need to manage their mental health, including psychiatric evaluations and medication management for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD, eating disorders and substance abuse. We also provide trauma-informed care and referrals for specialized testing, if appropriate.

Mercy Mindful appointments are available to patients 16 and older by request or referral at our West Asheville location. To learn more about how Mercy Mindful can help your company, contact Jon Medin at jmedin@mercyurgentcare.org or call 828.252.3443.

Expanded hours at East and South Asheville locations

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Mercy Urgent Care is expanding operating hours at its East and South Asheville locations beginning Sunday, April 23, 2023. The East Asheville clinic, located at 1272 Tunnel Rd., and South Asheville clinic, located at 1833 Hendersonville Rd., will now be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

“Expanding our hours at the East and South Asheville locations will allow us to not only better serve members of the community, but to also better serve businesses in those areas,” said Business Development Manager Jon Medin. “Between the new, longer hours, and Screen 24/7 after-hours testing, we are able to provide occupational medicine services around the clock.”

The hours for the other six clinics remain the same — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week for the Brevard and Burnsville locations; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week for the Columbus and Waynesville locations; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the West Asheville and Weaverville locations. Find all locations and hours here.

Portable audiometer at your company’s door

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Mercy Occupational Medicine is proud to now offer OSHA-compliant occupational hearing testing in the clinic or on-site at your workplace, using new, portable equipment.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimates that 30 million workers are exposed to noise levels high enough to cause irreversible hearing loss — and, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20,000 workplace hearing loss cases occur annually, with many resulting in permanent hearing loss. Additionally, an estimated 24% of all hearing loss in the United States has been attributed to workplace exposure, according to the CDC.

This can have a drastic impact on the individual, with untreated hearing loss significantly impacting a worker’s ability to effectively complete his or her job. Don’t be a statistic: Learn how you can provide testing for your workforce by contacting Jon Medin at jmedin@mercyurgentcare.org or by calling 828.252.3443.