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Mercy Urgent Care

Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Columbus, Waynesville & Weaverville NC

Hurrican Helene Relief Fund donate now

Keely Knopp

Occ-Med services post Hurricane Helene

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On September 27, all eight Mercy Urgent Care clinics closed their doors for what we assumed would be one day. No one expected Hurricane Helene to cause the level of devastation to Western North Carolina that it did. After making sure our staff was safe and accounted for, we quickly began working to reopen our doors. We are proud to report that all of our clinics are now open.

Mercy Urgent Care is now ready to turn its attention to our employer partners by responding to your occupational medicine needs as you work to get back in business. We’re pleased to announce that occupational medicine services are now up and running with the following limitations:

  • Workers’ comp and EPS services available at all clinics.
  • Drug screening services are available at the Brevard, Columbus, East Asheville, South Asheville, Waynesville, Weaverville, and West Asheville clinics.
  • DOT physicals are available every day at the Brevard, Burnsville, South Asheville, Weaverville, and West Asheville clinics. DOT physicals are available at the other three clinics on these dates: East Asheville – Oct. 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27 ; Columbus — Oct. 22 (from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), 23, 24, 27; and Waynesville – Oct. 23, 24, 25 (from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.).
  • Due to a change in our lab courier schedule, TB Gold lab tests must be done between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
  • Screen 24/7 drug and alcohol testing services will resume on Monday, October 21. Learn more.

Please note that all of our clinics are operating on a walk-in basis. Patients and employers can go to our website or Solv app and enter a walk-in request, but this is not an appointment and there may be a wait at the clinic. Hours at some of our locations have been modified — Burnsville, Columbus, South Asheville, Waynesville, Weaverville, and West Asheville clinics are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Brevard is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and East Asheville is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hours will continue to expand as we gain access to more resources. Clinic locations and hours.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work toward operating at 100% again soon. Please contact our Mercy Occupation Medicine staff at mom@mercyurgentcare.org or 828.254.7576 with any questions.

Create a Mercy Occ-Med Employer Services Account

Hurricane Relief Resources

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Our hearts are devastated at the destruction caused throughout Western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene. As of Sunday, October 13, all eight of our clinics have reopened and are seeing patients. A master list of resources including where to find food, water and gas, shelter options, missing persons request forms, relief organizations, and how to donate and/or volunteer can be found here: bit.ly/47LPFzj.

Please consider donating to Mercy Urgent Care’s Hurricane Helene Relief Fund.

Clinic Hours

All eight Mercy Urgent Care clinics are now open and seeing patients. Hours are as follows:

  • Mercy Urgent Care Brevard at 22 Trust Ln, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Saturday, closed on Sundays
  • Mercy Urgent Care Burnsville at 41 Charlie Brown Rd., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Sunday
  • Mercy Urgent Care East Asheville at 1272 Tunnel Rd., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Sunday
  • Mercy Urgent Care Foothills at 140 West Mills St., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Sunday
  • Mercy Urgent Care South Asheville at 1833 Hendersonville Rd., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Sunday
  • Mercy Urgent Care West Asheville at 1201 Patton Ave., Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Mercy Urgent Care Weaverville at 61 Weaver Blvd., Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Mercy Urgent Care Waynesville at 124 Frazier St., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week

Hours will continue to adjust as our resources increase. Find up-to-date hours at mercyurgentcare.org/locations.

Mercy Urgent Care’s occupational medicine services are now up and running with some limitations. Learn more.

Mental health resources

BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, is offering three months of free counseling to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Victims can redeem the free counseling by visiting betterhelp.com/voucher and using the code hurricane-helene-support.

FEMA individual assistance

FEMA has declared Individual Assistance (IA) for Hurricane Helene. What does this mean for you? It means that you can apply for disaster assistance from FEMA to help offset your disaster-related expenses.  You can apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by telephone at (800) 621-3362. Otherwise, you can download the FEMA weather app from Google PlayStore or the Apple Store and you can apply for assistance on the app and upload receipts. Whichever method you choose, the form has a few questions that are tricky. To avoid delay, please follow the following tips:

  1. One of the questions that FEMA will ask when you register is “Do You Have Emergency Needs”? This means during your evacuation or since staying at home during the disaster, do you need help with Gas, Medication, Food (meals, water, had no power and everything spoils), Shelter (you are staying with friends, family or in a hotel); Clothing; or Durable Medical Equipment (oxygen, walkers, cane, glasses, all major equipment, etc). If this is true, say “YES” to this question. That will result in your receiving Displacement / Critical Needs Assistance, which is $750.
  2. When asked if your home is/was accessible, answer “NO” if there was debris, tree branches, continued flooding, loss of power, damage or destruction that prevented you from staying there after Helene. This question is asking whether you can stay at your home or apartment and will trigger the ability for you to receive assistance to pay for hotels or provide funding to use while you stay with family or friends.
  3. When asked if utilities are out, say “YES” even if your utilities were out for a few days. This triggers assistance $ to stay somewhere other than your home or to buy fuel to power a generator.
  4. When asked “Are you willing to relocate” say “YES” if you cannot live in your home due to damage, loss of power, etc. This question means you are willing to stay in a hotel or apartment temporarily, and triggers that funding for you. It is not asking if you are willing to move away from your home permanently.
  5. If you bought or buy a generator, FEMA will reimburse you up to $629, but you must submit the receipt. If you bought a chainsaw, FEMA will reimburse you up to $219. Again, you need to provide the receipt. Save your receipts.

Resources

This Google Sheet is a crowdsourced tool being updated continuously by various Facebook Groups. Other websites include:

This attachment includes organizations that provide assistance along with ways to donate to these groups.

Connecting with loved ones

With many folks still without cell service, the Register of Deeds office is helping families locate loved ones they haven’t heard from. They’ve received 11,000+ requests so far. A wellness check initiative is being organized, with volunteers conducting door-to-door visits. If you haven’t heard from someone who may be affected by the storm, please complete this form to notify Buncombe County officials or call (828) 820-2761 to leave a voicemail.

FEMA Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs for those without flood insurance. Homeowners and renters in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply for FEMA assistance.

You can apply using the FEMA mobile app or by calling FEMA’s helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and help is available in most languages. Here’s what you need when you apply:

  • A current phone number where you can be contacted.
  • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
  • Your Social Security number.
  • A general list of damage and losses.
  • Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

Source: Asheville Citizen Times

Summer safety tips

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As summer begins and the temperature turns up in Western North Carolina, Mercy Urgent Care urges you to keep your cool, whether you’re hard at work in the sunshine or floating down the French Broad River. Here are some tips to beat the heat and symptoms to look out for if you think you might have a heat-related illness.

Beat the heat

Keeping cool when temperatures reach record highs isn’t just about comfort. Dangerously high temperatures can result in heat-related illnesses ranging from heat exhaustion to heat stroke. The following tips can help you keep cool all summer long.

  • Hydrate. Drink plenty of water, ideally two to three liters a day, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid caffeine, sugary drinks and alcohol—these drinks speed up the heart rate, elevate blood pressure and cause the body to dehydrate quicker.
  • Adjust your diet. Eat smaller meals and choose foods that have a high-water content, such as watermelon, bell peppers, fruits, cucumbers, and greens. Spicy foods can also help keep you cool as they encourage your body to sweat.
  • Change your schedule. Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, usually 11a to 2p. Plan outdoor exercise and work for cooler times such as the early morning or late evening.
  • Dress for the weather. Wear light, breathable clothing in fabrics like cotton or linen, and avoid synthetic fabrics. Long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and hats will help protect you from the sun’s rays, but still remember to apply your sunscreen!

Know the symptoms

When the body begins to overheat, it sends out signals to let you know. Early symptoms of heat-related illnesses include fatigue, heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, nausea and a high pulse rate. Patients may begin to feel faint or weak, develop muscle cramps and notice clamminess of the skin. 

As heat-related illnesses progresses, an individual may begin to experience life-threatening symptoms, such as a high body temperature, confusion, convulsions or fainting. Due to severe dehydration, patients may also have red, hot and dry skin. 

Heat-Related IllnessSymptoms and Signs
Heat stroke• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Unconsciousness
• Seizures
•Heavy sweating, or hot, dry skin
• Very high body temperature
• Rapid heart rate
Heat exhaustion• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Thirst
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Heavy sweating
•Elevated body temperature or fast heart rate
Heat rash• Clusters of red bumps on skin, which often appear on neck, upper chest, and skin folds
Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)• Muscle pain
• Dark urine or or reduced urine output
• Weakness

Treating heat illness

If you or someone you know is experiencing the early symptoms of a heat-related illness, immediately stop all activity, move to a cooler place to rest and sip water or an electrolyte replenishing sports drink. For individuals experiencing heat exhaustion, loosen any clothing items, place cool, wet cloths on the body or take a cool bath. Visit one of Mercy’s eight locations if you are in need hydration via intravenous fluids.

If the individual begins to vomit, has a history of heart problems or experiences worsening or prolonged symptoms, seek medical help right away. 

For severe symptoms that may indicate heat stroke — such as fainting, high fever, confusion, dry skin and a fast, strong pulse — call 911 right away. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and can be fatal without medical intervention. While waiting for medical professionals, move the individual to a cooler place, remove excess clothing and help lower the body temperature by whatever means available, concentrating ice packs or cool, wet cloths around the neck, armpits and groin. If the person is not alert or is vomiting, do not give him or her anything to drink.

2024 Mercy Golf Classic

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Mercy Urgent Care is gearing up for its 2024 Golf Classic fundraiser, taking place Thursday, Sept. 19, at Reems Creek Golf Club, 36 Pink Fox Cove Road in Weaverville, North Carolina. Proceeds from the event benefit the Catherine McAuley MERCY Foundation, providing important humanitarian work locally in Western North Carolina through Mercy Urgent Care’s Compassionate Care program.

Check-in for the fundraiser event begins at 8 a.m., with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The cost to participate is $150 per person and includes lunch, drinks and one mulligan. Red tees, additional mulligans and tickets to a 50/50 raffle will be available for purchase at the event. Golfers will have a chance to win $50,000 in the hole-in-one contest.

This year’s title sponsor is Capstone Health Alliance. Presenting sponsors include Altamont Capital Management and Modera Wealth. Other sponsorship levels are also available. Learn more at on the Golf Classic events page, or contact Business Development Manager Jon Medin by calling (828) 252-3443 or emailing jmedin@mercyurgentcare.org.

register for the 2024 mercy golf classic

Urgent Care Awareness Month

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When unexpected injuries or health issues arise, many people’s first reaction is to head to an emergency room. But when those illnesses and injuries aren’t life-threatening, these trips often end up costing patients more in both time and money.

And that’s where urgent care centers like Mercy come in. Knowing the best option for care can be essential in beginning the healing process, and urgent care centers fill a critical gap in the health care industry.

Urgent Care bridges the gap between primary care and emergency care. Treating minor burns, scrapes and cuts is a vital, yet singular piece of the urgent care puzzle. Urgent care also treats conditions such as allergic reactions, ear infections and strep throat; provides x-ray imaging and lab services such as testing for COVID-19, STIs, pregnancy and blood glucose; provides support and treatment for mental health concerns; and offers preventative services in the way of physicals and vaccinations.

Facilities like Mercy help to alleviate the burden on emergency rooms, enabling area hospitals to make better use of their resources and provide faster ER care for true emergencies. “When people know where to go based on their circumstances, the system works best,” said Dr. Robert Kimball, president of the UCA Board of Directors.

Statistics indicate that Urgent Care centers prevent approximately 24.5 million emergency room visits annually, significantly alleviating the strain on emergency departments while saving patients and the healthcare system valuable time and resources. This data underscores the importance of Urgent Care centers in managing non-emergent cases effectively and underscores their essential status within the healthcare system.

To make these important services even more accessible to the community, Mercy Urgent Care offers MercyMe healthcare memberships. These memberships provide individuals and families access to a full menu of health services — from annual wellness checks and yearly flu shots to access to urgent care services like x-rays, wound care and lab testing — without an appointment or lengthy check-in procedures.

With eight locations across WNC and a MercyMe card, you’ll never be without affordable, quality healthcare resources. Learn more about MercyMe by clicking here, spread awareness this month about the differences between urgent care and emergency departments, and keep us in mind for any of life’s unexpected, non-life-threatening events. Stay well!

Don’t let allergies ruin your spring

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Achoo! It’s that time of year: Hiking trails around Western North Carolina are popping with vibrant spring color, but for many, allergies may be dampening the experience — both on and off the trail. 

To see the best that spring has to offer, consider a trip to Craggy Gardens, Roan Mountain, Pink Beds or Graveyard Fields, four trails known for their beautifully abundant floral displays, roughly beginning in April.

But whether you’re enjoying the blooms at Biltmore, the Asheville Botanical Gardens or along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you may want to take some extra precautions to avoid symptoms like sneezing, coughing, congestion, and an itchy, stuffy or runny nose, eyes and throat.

Ways to reduce your allergen exposure

According to Mayo Clinic, those prone to bothersome or severe allergies should consider taking steps to reduce their exposure to allergens. Before planning a day outside, check your local pollen count through helpful online resources, such as Pollen.com, which can predict when allergy triggers are at their highest. When levels are at their highest:

  • Start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start. Many over-the-counter remedies like nasal sprays, oral antihistamines and decongestants can help alleviate symptoms before, during and after exposure.
  • Stay indoors — especially on dry, windy days. Plan a hike or tend to your garden on days following a good rain, as moisture helps clear pollen from the air.
  • Avoid lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening tasks that stir up allergens.
  • After spending time outdoors, remove the clothes you were wearing and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
  • Don’t hang clothes, bedsheets or towels outdoors to dry, as pollen is likely to stick to damp materials.
  • Still have a spare mask or two from the pandemic’s peak? Wear it while performing outdoor chores to reduce your exposure to pollen.
  • If allergies are bothering you inside your home, consider using an air purifier (with a HEPA filter) in your bedroom at night, and clean your floors frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum.

If symptoms persist despite taking these precautions, schedule a visit with your physician — or stop by your closest Mercy Urgent Care location — to see what additional treatments may be available to you.