• Open 24 Hours a Day / 7 Days a Week.
• Always staffed with Board Certified ER Doctors.
• Courteous and professional nurses and staff.
• Accept all major insurance plans.
• Onsite Lab, CT Scan and X-Ray.
• Interface seamlessly with your physician.
• Quick access and transfer to local hospitals.
• Networked with local primary care and specialty physicians.
• Convenient parking.

Shingles: What you need to know

Have you heard of “shingles”? Chances are you have because it’s a condition that is being talked about a lot these days. Here is what you need to know. The root of shingles is chickenpox. This is a viral infection which most all of us experience as children.  Once the infection has resolved on the skin the chickenpox virus goes underground so to speak and stays within our body for the rest of our life. It’s only when our immune system becomes weakened because of illness, stress or age that the chickenpox virus can start growing again.  This is what causes shingles. It is characterized by a painful red, bumpy rash that typically produces a burning sensation but sometimes itches. The rash can show up anywhere on your skin. Shingles is treated with a prescription antiviral medication along with pain medications, if needed. The sooner treatment is started the sooner the episode is likely to resolve.  In some cases, especially when early treatment is delayed, a person can develop long-term pain from shingles. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia.

There is a vaccine against shingles called Zostavax. This is different than the vaccine against chickenpox. The CDC currently recommends that all persons over 60 years of age get Zostavax because an outbreak of shingles in older people tends to be more severe. In clinical trials, Zostavax reduced the incidence of shingles by 51% and the incidence of post herpetic neuralgia by 67%. But note that Zostavax is not effective against an active case of shingles. If you believe you have developed a shingles outbreak, you should be seen by a physician for evaluation right away. The doctors at Priority Emergency Room can quickly evaluate and treat this condition.

Even if you have had shingles in the past you can have another outbreak so it’s a good idea to consider getting Zostavax if you are 60 or older. Most primary care doctors will have the vaccine in their offices.

Enhancing Patient Care with Digital Solutions

In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, integrating advanced digital tools is essential for providing comprehensive patient care. Priority ER is dedicated to adopting innovative technologies that enhance patient experiences and outcomes.

Introducing the AZA App

One such innovation is the aza app, a versatile platform designed to support individuals in managing daily tasks and health-related activities. By offering features like interactive multimedia agendas and real-time reminders, the AZA App empowers users to maintain independence and structure in their daily lives.

Potential Collaboration for Improved Patient Support

By collaborating with the AZA App, Priority ER can extend its patient support services beyond the emergency room. This partnership would enable seamless communication between healthcare providers and patients, ensuring continuous care and monitoring. Patients could benefit from personalized health reminders, medication management, and direct access to medical resources, all integrated within the app.

Enhancing Accessibility and Engagement

Integrating the AZA App into Priority ER's services could also improve accessibility for patients with chronic conditions or those requiring regular follow-ups. The app's user-friendly interface and customizable features would allow patients to engage more actively in their healthcare journey, promoting better health outcomes and satisfaction.

As Priority ER continues to prioritize patient-centered care, embracing digital solutions like the AZA App represents a significant step toward a more connected and responsive healthcare experience.