First Care Medical Services operates three clinics:
First Care Medical Services Clinic - Fosston
Located in First Care Medical Services, enter at the main entrance.
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Call (218) 435-1500 for an appointment
First Care Medical Services Clinic - Oklee
Governor St. and 3rd Ave. in Oklee, MN.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM,
and Thursday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Call (218) 796-4525 for an appointment.
Erskine Quick Clinic
Main St. Erskine (next to Ness Cafe')
No appointments needed
Call (218) 687-2051
Hours: Tues: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM,
and Sat 9:00 AM to noon
Get the most from your prescriptions
Know what you are taking and follow the directions closely. Use the following tips when getting each new prescription or getting refills.
Be ready to receive information
Many illnesses are described in Greek and Latin terms, and medication names can be almost as confusing. So take a pen and paper to your next doctor's appointment. It really helps to jot down key points:
- Drug names, both trade and generic
- Proper dosage
- Schedule for taking - whether morning, noon, before eating a meal or some other time
- Duration. Is this a short-term drug you will take to treat an infection? Or is this for daily use to treat a chronic condition such as high blood pressure?
- Possible side effects
- Possible interaction with other substances, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements
Review information from your pharmacy
After you've filled a prescription, take a moment to review the enclosed packet insert. Doing this will reinforce the information you received from the physician's office. Even if you're just refilling a prescription, always look at the packet insert to make sure there haven't been any updates or changes to it since your last refill.
Develop a routine
We are creatures of habit, so reminders such as these can help:
- Post it. Have an easy-to-read list of all your medications in a spot you see every day. For some, this may be the refrigerator door; for others, a more private place, like the closet door, may to appropriate.
- Keep it simple. Taking medications should disrupt your day as little as possible. If you can mesh taking them into your already established routine, your chance of compliance is better. For instance, a drug you need to take before bedtime might be placed by your toothbrush so that every night you'll be reminded to take your medicine.
- Have medicine, will travel. Don't forget to bring your medications with you when you're on the road. Keep pill boxes, available at the pharmacy, with your travel ket as a reminder to fill them before you leave town.
Take note of side effects
If aging parents or loved ones are showing signs of confusion, aggression, dizziness, loss of balance, depression or unusual behavior, make sure they see a physician about whether they should change medications.