WAXAHACHIE, Texas – As the winter season arrives, so does the increase in illnesses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Knowing where to go in the case of illness is essential.

"While a few cases are normal this time of year, we are definitely seeing an increase among these conditions all at the same time," said Thomas Ledbetter, MD, chief medical officer, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie. "With the opening of a new urgent care conveniently located across the highway from our hospital, it will help treat those community members with non-emergent illnesses."

Knowing Where to Go for Care

If you do begin to feel sick, it's important to seek the most appropriate care for your symptoms. As always, if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. 

However, Ellis County hospitals are seeing surges in patients visiting emergency departments for non-emergency medical conditions, such as mild symptoms and routine testing. Seeking care for non-emergency needs at care sites other than emergency departments, such as your primary care physician's office or urgent care, can help lower wait times and reserve hospitals for those in need.

Care When You Need It

For Ellis County residents, Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care – Waxahachie offers convenient care seven days a week. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and noon- 5 p.m. Sunday. The clinic accepts walk-in patients and treats patients 6 months and older. The address is: 1005 Legacy Ranch Road, Suite 100, Waxahachie, TX 75165.

"We are excited to offer this new urgent care location for the residents of Waxahachie and Ellis County," said Kathy Talton, practice administrator Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care – Waxahachie. "The community is growing, and we are working to meet the care needs of the community when and where they need it."

Another option is virtual care on the MyBSWHealth app, which can be downloaded by texting BETTER to 88408. The app and virtual care are open to all – users need not have been a patient of Baylor Scott & White prior to using the service because a medical record is established once users begin the process.

Baylor Scott & White Health providers are on call 24/7 through the app and MyBSWHealth website to offer care in under an hour for a number of the most common conditions.

• Video visits let you complete a face-to-face visit with a provider using a camera-enabled device.
• An e-visit is a five-minute telehealth questionnaire about your symptoms which results in a response from a provider.
• A variety of conditions can be addressed, including cold, flu, allergies, skin conditions, stomach/digestive issues, bladder infections, skin and nail problems, birth control refills, sprains and strains.

For more information on virtual care, visit bswhealth.com/virtual-care.

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* Providers are employees of HealthTexas Provider Network, a member of Baylor Scott & White Health.

About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com