Women’s Care Takes Whole Health Approach To Care
By Jennifer Silverstein
Following the latest trends in health care and being attuned to the needs and time of its clients, the doctors at Women’s Care want to be the whole health solution for their patients. There is a movement of “medical homes” for comprehensive care. In addition to offering OB/ GYN care, Women’s Care Florida will now offer immunizations. The following vaccines will be available: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, pneumonia, zoster (shingles), human papillomavirus (HPV) and TDaP, which stands for tetanus, diphthera and pertussis (whooping cough).Many times in the past, Women’s Care deferred vaccinations to a family practice or primary care physician. Starting with Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, OB/ GYN offices began offering vaccines again. “We’re trying to get everyone vaccinated, especially pre-pregnancy,” said Dr. Keith Whitehead,According to Whitehead, all pregnant women should get the Rubella vaccine (German measles). “I get all kinds of weird looks when I ask ladies when their last tetanus shot was,” Whitehead said, but tetanus is part of the TDaP shot, which also contains the vaccine for pertussis, which can be lethal in children under 2. Women’s Care is also offering the hepatitis A and B vaccine, both of which are sexually transmitted or bloodborne diseases which can be contracted from tattoos, piercings or multiple sexual partners. In addition, anyone who travels, especially to South America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, should get the hepatitis A vaccine.Vaccines are considered preventative care and are covered by most insurance companies. This division of Women’s Care Florida was the pilot for vaccinations and has been administering them for nearly a year now. On a weekly basis, between 50 and 100 patients get vaccinated, and they could be receiving more than one of the vaccines at a time. Whitehead estimates that the four offices see a combined 3,000 patients per month, roughly 30 patients per day, per doctor, so between 15 and 20 percent of patients coming into the office are being vaccinated.Immunizations, or vaccinations, are an important part of preventative health care and offer protection against the serious effects of certain diseases. “It’s important to have the vaccines. It [getting vaccinated] doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive,” Whitehead said. “It’s quick and easy.”Women’s Care – Lithia is located at 5470 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 699-1006 or visit www.womenscarefl.com.
