Acute Care

Common mild-to-moderate health concerns like back pain, bruising, and nausea do not typically indicate a chronic condition and can be managed with acute care. Aspire Health and Wellness in Dysart, Iowa, advanced registered nurse practitioner Jamie Barnett, ARNP, treats a wide range of short-term illnesses and minor injuries with acute care services. To schedule your next visit, call Aspire Health and Wellness or request an appointment online today.

What is acute care?

Acute care refers to treatments and medical services that help you manage and overcome short-term illnesses, injuries, and symptoms. 

At Aspire Health and Wellness, Jamie examines you initially and may request testing to find out what’s causing your new or worsening symptoms. Then, she determines a treatment plan that will give you some relief. They can also tell you whether or not your health issue is contagious and if you should take some time away from work or school to recover.

Typically, acute care aims to make you more comfortable as you recover from a temporary illness or heal from an injury. Acute care can optimize healing and sometimes even cure your health condition. 

What can acute care address?

Aspire Health and Wellness can diagnose and treat a wide range of symptoms associated with acute conditions that will not require long-term care or management. If you experience symptoms that don’t go away within a few days, or symptoms that are severe right away, you should schedule a visit. 

At Aspire Health and Wellness, Jamie is equipped to handle symptoms like:

• Back pain
• Joint pain 
• Belly pain
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Coughing and sneezing
• Cuts and bruises
• Rashes
• Nausea

Acute care can usually address symptoms like these. With or without treatment, many of them tend to go away within days or weeks. Treatment can help you make a faster recovery and stop the spread of an illness if it’s contagious. 

How does acute care work?

When you come in for acute care at Aspire Health and Wellness, Jamie performs a quick evaluation and may run some tests if the underlying diagnosis isn’t immediately apparent. She may recommend the latest available treatment strategies or medications for your particular condition and can offer home care recommendations that will make you more comfortable. 

Your acute care plan may involve:

• Rest
• Ice and heat therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Antibiotics
• Antiviral medications
• Injections
• Nutritional guidance
• Bandages or stitches
• Physical or occupational therapy

Your treatment plan depends on your diagnosis. In the vast majority of cases, Jamie offers acute care without the need for specialist referrals. 

Acute care helps relieve symptoms like musculoskeletal pain, an upset stomach, and coughing. To schedule a visit, call Aspire Health and Wellness or request an appointment online today.