Drug and alcohol screening for safety

Increased incidence of public impairment

Drug and alcohol test must be an integral component of the hiring process. Not just for employers who deal with public safety issues, but for regular employers as well. Drug and alcohol abuse can drastically affect company productivity and safety. As states begin to redefine what is considered impairment, employers are only beginning to understand the vastness of workplace drug and alcohol use.

An increasingly unsafe workplace

• Safety is the chief concern of many companies. Every year, employers face rising costs and decreased productivity related to workers who use drugs and alcohol excessively.
• Where once the focus was on employees who operate machinery under the influence, we are finding that companies pay a high price for substance abusers throughout the system.
• People who excessively use alcohol or drug are about three and a half times more likely to be involved in accidents on the job.
• The same group is more than five times as likely to call in sick or injure themselves at work. This translates into increased cases of worker's compensation claims.
• When it comes to the cost in human lives, substance abusers are responsible for 40 percent of all industrial fatalities.

Drug/Alcohol screening services in Germantown

With more than 27years of experience and expert clinicians on staff, Medical Access focuses on helping you deal with the loss of productivity and profits because of workplace substance abuse. In addition to drug and alcohol screening, we provide a wide range of healthcare services through our convenient, walk-in location in Germantown, MD. Whether it is drug and alcohol screenings or wellness programs, our testing center at Medical Access can help you maintain workplace safety.

Walk in clinic for flu vaccines

Flu season is here

Have you been to your local walk in clinic for your annual flu vaccine? Typically, the flu vaccine provides six to eight months of protection. It is widely accepted that the ever-unpredictable flu season, can begin as early as October.

Who should get a flu shot?

The vaccine is recommended for those 65 and older, while the nasal spray is recommended for children between the ages of 2-8. Consider the following:

• People who have asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease
• Pregnant women
• Children younger than 5 years, especially those younger than 2
• People who live with, or care for those who are at high risk of developing serious complications
• Medical personnel such as doctors, nurses and caregivers
• Teachers and daycare workers
• Those with compromised immune systems

Convenient, walk in care for Germantown, MD

We all want the best for our families, especially when it comes to healthcare and preventive medicine. Medical Access provides convenient walk-in care as an alternative to long waits in the emergency room. Their friendly staff will carefully and quickly assess your needs and provide the appropriate services, from preventive medicine to x-ray and lab services. Their facilities are fully staffed and equipped in order to meet the demands of their patients and their healthcare needs.

Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer, and has been associated with Medical Access since 1999. She is qualified to treat almost any type of injury or illness that may present itself. Call Medical Access today, or simply drop in, as no appointment is needed to receive timely, quality urgent care for any non-life-threatening health issues.

Urgent care: Wash your hands to avoid the common cold

Cold season is already here

As the weather has begun to turn, we expect to see an increase in patients who need urgent care. We do not want to see anyone sick, but in today’s world, people have busy, hectic schedules that can wear down your immune system and leave you vulnerable. The good news is that you can take positive steps towards preventing colds and common illnesses with basic hygiene habits. Consider the following tips to help you reduce your risk of catching a cold or flu.

Wash your hands

·         Healthcare officials confirm that the most effective method for preventing the passing of germs from one person to another is washing your hands.

·         Additionally, hand washing significantly reduces the spread of respiratory infections according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

·         If hand washing is not available, you should carry a miniature bottle of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

·         Disinfectant wipes are important for keeping computer keyboards, desks, counter tops, and hand held devices are hot beds for germs.

·         n fact, any surface that is touched by other people is commonly covered with germs that can get you sick.

You can keep yourself and others healthy by following these simple tips. If you, however, find yourself or a family member with a cold, visit your local urgent care clinic for prompt evaluation and treatment.

Affordable urgent care for Germantown, MD

We all want the best for our families, especially when it comes to healthcare and preventive medicine. Medical Access provides convenient walk-in care as an alternative to long waits in the emergency room. Their friendly staff will carefully and quickly assess your needs and provide the appropriate services, from preventive medicine to x-ray and lab services. Their facilities are fully staffed and equipped in order to meet the demands of their patients and their healthcare needs.

Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer, and has been associated with Medical Access since 1999. She is qualified to treat almost any type of injury or illness that may present itself. Call Medical Access today, or simply drop in, as no appointment is needed to receive timely, quality urgent care for any non-life-threatening health issues.

Urgent care: How to identify black ice

Beware of black ice

This time of year, urgent care clinics like to remind their patients who are regular walkers, beware of black ice. As the nights grow colder and darkness falls earlier, black ice catches so many people off guard because it is rarely expected this time of year. Black ice is the perfect set up a slip or fall, and your urgent care centers want to offer suggestions that will help you to stay on your feet all winter season.

Understanding black ice

• “Black ice" is that it's not really black at all. It is clear just like most forms of ice.
• When a thin layer of ice is perfectly transparent, it assumes the color of whatever surface it happens to freeze. Ice on the roadways lead people to name it black, to match the color of asphalt.
• Black ice on the roadway is invisible because of the way it freezes.
• Under normal winter conditions, the ground is usually cold enough so that when it is covered with snow, sleet, or rain; the precipitation immediately begins to freeze, leaving a telltale white frosty appearance.
• However, in situations when the temperature just barely hovers around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the ground is warm enough to heat the precipitation, forcing air bubbles out of the droplets of moisture, allowing them to run together and form a transparent sheet of ice on the road surface.

Convenient, walk-in care for Germantown, MD

We all want the best for our families, especially when it comes to healthcare and preventive medicine. Medical Access provides convenient walk-in care as an alternative to long waits in the emergency room. Their friendly staff will carefully and quickly assess your needs and provide the appropriate services, from preventive medicine to x-ray and lab services. Their facilities are fully staffed and equipped in order to meet the demands of their patients and their healthcare needs.

Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer, and has been associated with Medical Access since 1999. She is qualified to treat almost any type of injury or illness that may present itself. Call Medical Access today, or simply drop in, as no appointment is needed to receive timely, quality urgent care for any non-life-threatening health issues.

Health care now: diet is a lifestyle, not a fad

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Effective weight loss

Health care now means doing the important things that will yield a lifetime of benefits. Some forward thinkers realize that at times, the holiday season can be a time of excess, and will often diet during the month of October. However, clinicians at your Germantown urgent care center want you to realize that an effective weight loss program involves more than counting calories and avoiding certain types of food. A diet is a lifestyle choice. It is a long-term commitment that requires the development of new and healthy habits. If you and your physician have come to the understanding that losing weight in a safe manner is important for your health outlook, you should begin a life-long journey that means combining good eating habits with exercise and a positive attitude. We want to offer some tips that may help you create new and healthy habits.

1.       Cutting back is not a plan

2.       Set goals and reset goals

3.       There are no short cuts

4.       Walking is fantastic

5.       Proper rest is important

Your body absorbs nutrition on a schedule. This depends largely upon when you are active and when you are at rest. Setting a consistent sleep schedule is one of the most important habits you can create, especially when setting new weight loss goals.

Walk-in clinic for health care screening

We all want the best for our families and ourselves, especially when it comes to healthcare and preventive medicine. Medical Access provides convenient walk-in care as an alternative to long waits in the emergency room. Their friendly staff will carefully and quickly assess your needs and provide the appropriate services, from preventive medicine to x-ray and lab services. Their facilities are fully staffed and equipped in order to meet the demands of their patients and their healthcare needs.

Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer, and has been associated with Medical Access since 1999. She is qualified to treat almost any type of injury or illness that may present itself. Call Medical Access today, or simply drop in, as no appointment is needed to receive timely, quality urgent care for any non-life-threatening health issues.

Recognizing the best walk in clinic for your family

Ideal for urgent care

I you have kids of any age; you know that there will be times when you need urgent care at a walk in clinic. It is in your best interest to have a plan in place and to know where you are going to go when that time arrives, because not all walk in clinics are equal. Our goal here is to help you recognize the walk in clinic that stands out from the crowd. Just as it is with every other segment of the healthcare industry, urgent care centers are not all the same. Consider these guidelines for specific things should you look for, and places that you should you avoid. Look for an urgent care clinic with the following traits, and you can trust that you will be receiving high quality treatment.

• Friendly and knowledgeable staff
• Convenient location
• Qualified, full-time physicians

Convenient, walk-in care for Germantown, MD

We all want the best for our families, especially when it comes to healthcare and preventive medicine. Medical Access provides convenient walk-in care as an alternative to long waits in the emergency room. Their friendly staff will carefully and quickly assess your needs and provide the appropriate services, from preventive medicine to x-ray and lab services. Their facilities are fully staffed and equipped in order to meet the demands of their patients and their healthcare needs.

Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer, and has been associated with Medical Access since 1999. She is qualified to treat almost any type of injury or illness that may present itself. Call Medical Access today, or simply drop in, as no appointment is needed to receive timely, quality urgent care for any non-life-threatening health issues.

Urgent Care: Timely tips for a good night’s sleep

Sleep and rest is crucial

Your local urgent care clinicians understand the importance of proper rest and a full night of sleep. Getting enough sleep on a regular basis is crucial for optimal function of the body and mind. Sleep deprivation causes numerous, side effects and health issues that can vary in severity from one individual to the next. For many people, sleep is very difficult to obtain simply because they have trouble falling asleep. The problem begins with our approach to sleep. We all assume that we will just get sleepy and fall asleep whenever our body needs it. However, we live in a world that contains so many distractions and methods of stimulating the brain, we forget that sleep must be planned like many other activities such as cooking, or daily exercise. We hope that we can offer you some sleeping time tips that will allow you to fall asleep easier.

• Pre sleep stretching
• Count your breaths
• Monitor room temperature
• Eliminate of plan for background noise

Convenient, walk-in care for Germantown, MD

We all want the best for our families, especially when it comes to healthcare and preventive medicine. Medical Access provides convenient walk-in care as an alternative to long waits in the emergency room. Their friendly staff will carefully and quickly assess your needs and provide the appropriate services, from preventive medicine to x-ray and lab services. Their facilities are fully staffed and equipped in order to meet the demands of their patients and their healthcare needs.

Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer, and has been associated with Medical Access since 1999. She is qualified to treat almost any type of injury or illness that may present itself. Call Medical Access today, or simply drop in, as no appointment is needed to receive timely, quality urgent care for any non-life-threatening health issues.