UnityPoint Clinic Express (Fort Dodge)

Primary Care encompasses the comprehensive treatment of a number of diseases in symptoms and specialties including pediatrics, internal medicine and family medicine. Rather than specializing in one particular area of medicine, the physician is trained to meet all the needs of patients as one point of contact. Same-day appointments may be available. Call your clinic or log in to MyUnityPoint to schedule with your provider or a member of their care team.

Examples of symptoms and conditions treated by a primary care provider can include:

• Allergies
• Cancer screenings (for select cancers)
• Disease management (asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.)
• Long term care or treatment planning
• Managing existing conditions (migraines, depression, anxiety, arthritis, etc.)
• Medication refill and medicine checks
• Minor medical problems and injuries
• Ongoing symptoms (continued back pain, skin problems, etc.)
• Physicals/sports physicals
• Substance abuse
• Vaccinations

Connect with a UnityPoint Health provider online using MyUnityPoint to access virtual urgent care. Virtual care doctors can diagnose, recommend treatment and prescribe medication when necessary for commonly treated conditions. Available every day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for individuals 2 years and older located in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Virtual care should be used for minor, common ailments and illnesses. Some examples, and the qualifying age to receive virtual urgent care for that condition, include: 

Emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for severe or life-threatening conditions. Conditions that require emergency care include excessive bleeding, broken bones, chest pain or trouble breathing. Emergency services include diagnostic testing and access to specialists. 

Examples of symptoms and conditions treated by emergency departments can include:

• Symptoms of a heart attack, including severe chest pain, sweating and shortness of breath.
• Profuse bleeding or blood loss that continues even after direct pressure has been placed on the wound.
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Sudden dizziness, weakness, loss of coordination, balance or vision problems, which are signs of stroke.
• High fever and vomiting that continues nonstop for several hours.
• Signs of meningitis for adults: severe headaches, neck/joint pain and stiffness, vomiting, high temperature, sensitivity to light or babies and small children: high-pitched whimpering/crying, lethargy, fussiness, restlessness, high fever, vomiting, cold extremities, refusing food, pale or blotchy skin.
• Seizures lasting longer than five minutes.
• Injuries occurring from an accident or fall - intense back or neck pain, obvious compound fractures and/or dislocations of bones, deep cuts and severe burns.