MUSC Health Developing Primary Care Mobile Health Pilot to Expand Access to High-Quality Health Care in Wagener

In response to the growing need for accessible health care in rural South Carolina, MUSC Health is developing a Primary Care Mobile Health pilot to serve Wagener and surrounding communities. This initiative follows the closure of Wagener's only medical center, leaving an estimated 7,000 residents in the Wagener-Salley area without a local option for medical care and requiring them to travel significant distances to receive services in Columbia, Lexington, Aiken, Augusta or Orangeburg.

MUSC Health initiated an evaluation to identify solutions for bringing primary care services to the area and after a feasibility study, the team determined that a mobile health unit - capable of reaching multiple underserved communities in the region - would be the most effective way to address local health care gaps.

"MUSC Health is committed to ensuring that all South Carolinians, regardless of where they live, have the health care resources they need," said Dr. Patrick Cawley, CEO of MUSC Health and Vice President for Health Affairs, University. "This mobile health pilot is expected to serve thousands of patients closer to their homes while exploring long-term solutions for improving rural health care access."

State Representative Bill Taylor (District 86) has been instrumental in advocating for Wagener-area residents and welcomed the project's progress. "I appreciate MUSC Health's leadership in finding an innovative way to restore primary care services in these communities," said Taylor. "While there's still work to be done, this is a crucial first step in ensuring that residents in Wagener and surrounding communities have reliable access to essential health care services."

Space Heater Safety Tips from New Holland VFD

With the cold weather approaching us next week. 
Here are some tips for using a space heater safely:
Placement
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture, drapes, or other flammable items. 

Place them on a level surface to prevent tipping. 

Usage
Only use space heaters for a limited time and never leave them unattended, especially when you go to bed. 

Space heaters can't regulate temperature well for long periods. 

Plugging
Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet, and don't use extension cords. Extension cords can overheat and cause a fire. 

Safety features
Look for a space heater with safety features like a tip-over switch, overheat sensor, and touch sensor. 
Inspection

Before using a space heater each year, inspect it for damage like loose connections or broken plugs. If it's damaged, replace it instead of trying to repair it. 

Children and pets
Keep children and pets away from space heaters and never leave them unattended in a room with a space heater. 

Water
Keep electric heaters away from water and never use them near a sink or in the bathroom. 

Kerosene heaters
Never use an unvented kerosene heater.

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