Let’s face it, even if we’re on vacation, we might all need healthcare at some point. Whether it’s from a trip or fall, a sprain or an allergic reaction, to stomach aches and pain or fever, it helps to plan ahead and know where a healthcare facility is located in your area.
In July of 2024, The St. Joe Company and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare opened a new facility in Panama City Beach, FL. The new campus is located at 1002 N. Arnold Road (Highway 79). The building is the first of several planned for the 87-acre campus being jointly planned and developed by St. Joe, TMH and Florida State University.
Urgent Care and Primary Care
When to go to Urgent Care:
The Urgent Care facility is the best treatment option for minor illnesses and injuries. They are an appropriate option for those that need medical attention after normal business hours.
For ore information is available at TMH.ORG/UrgentCare.
Below are some of the reasons you might want to consider going to urgent care:
- Accidents or falls
- Sprains and strains
- Skin rash or infection
- Minor stitches
- Fever or flu
- Minor fractures
- Muscle or stomach aches and pains
- Earache
The Primary Care facility offers comprehensive primary care in Panama City Beach, including:
- Annual & sports physicals
- Preventative healthcare & annual screenings
- Immunizations
- Chronic disease management
- Treatment for minor injuries & illnesses
- Lab work
- Minor surgical procedures & biopsies
They also offer specialty physicals required for participation in various industries and activities:
- Department of Transportation (DOT) Physicals
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Physicals
- United States Coast Guard / Merchant Mariner Physicals
- Dive Physicals
New and existing patients can request an appointment at TMH.ORG/PCB or call 850-234-3087.
An ambulatory surgery center and cardiology services are anticipated to be operational in the medical office building soon. Future plans include a 100-bed hospital with an emergency center and other inpatient services including surgery, cardiology procedures and imaging, anticipated to be complete in 2027.
To learn more about the facility or to read about Tips To Help You Medically Prepare for Hurricane Season or Summer Safety Tips for Nearly Every Activity, be sure to go to their website.
When To Go To The Emergency Room
While urgent care clinics can take the place to fill the gap, it’s important to know when to head to the emergency room. First of all, know that if YOU think it’s an emergency and you think you need to go to the ER, then you should go. However, here are some guidelines to help you decide if you’re unsure whether you should go or not.
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure lasting two minutes or more
- Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness
- Changes in vision
- Choking
- Head or spine injury
- Ingestion of a poisonous substance
- Difficulty speaking
- Confusion or changes in mental status, unusual behavior, difficulty waking
- Any sudden or severe pain
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Unusual abdominal pain
When To Call 911
- The location, to include the street address (if you’re staying with Premium Beach Condos, the address to your unit can be found in your digital guide book under “About The Accommodation” and then “Safety Information”) so be sure to jot this down for reference in the event of an emergency
- The phone number you are calling from
- What the emergency is (be as clear as possible)
- Provide any details of the emergency (type of injury, etc.)
Providing as much information as possible, will help the 911 operator to tell you what to do and to give you the best care possible until additional help arrives.
According to Cedars Sinai, there are things we can do to avoid getting sick before, during and after our vacation trip. Here are some of their tips on how to stay healthy:
Prepare your body early
Make sure that you start preparing at least 48 hours before your travel. This prep includes getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night before your trip and drinking lots of fluids. Be sure to get any recommended vaccinations before you leave.
Stay hydrated
Drink lots water! You should divide your weight (in pounds) in half and aim to drink that many ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, you should try to drink 60 ounces of water.
Get enough sleep during your trip
Our white blood cells increase in number while we sleep, especially at night. When you are sleep deprived, the body’s defense mechanism weakens.
Slow down
Packed itineraries leave little room for self-care and rest, so it’s important to pace yourself.
Eat a balanced diet
Lots of us think, “I’m on vacation and can eat or drink as much as my body can handle,” but that can disrupt our digestive system and our overall health. Eat healthy, balanced meals with lots of fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system healthy and strong.
Give yourself time to recover
Vacationers often have little to no rest between getting home and returning to work. Try to give yourself a day or two to recover.
Pack well
Bring hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to help keep the germs at bay.
Have fun and laugh!
Laughter is good for your immune system.
No one ever expects the unexpected to happen while you’re on vacation, but in the event it does, be prepared and know where the nearest facility is for your needs. To avoid sickness, follow the suggestions above, bring your medications with you, and avoid foods that might be risky. If you do end up sick, make sure you’re prepared and try not to worry. Stress can actually make you feel worse, while staying calm and thinking positive can have just the opposite effect.
And, if you haven’t planned that vacation yet, be sure to check out our website to see our beautiful beachfront condos we have available. Most of our condos are just about a 3 mile journey to the new TMH HealthCare facility, so you can rest easy, if the need should occur that you need healthcare, that you’ll be well taken care of and can get their quickly.
