Appalachian State University's Student Health Service is a primary care ambulatory clinic. Students can be seen by appointment or on a walk-in basis while school is in session.

The scope of service includes the following:

• Diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries;
• Preventive health care maintenance;
• Interim management of chronic conditions in conjunction with the student's specialist or primary care provider;
• limited mental health services.

University employees who experience job-related injuries will be evaluated, and referred when appropriate for any continued care.

Initial work-up and treatment may be initiated for certain chronic conditions of a stable nature, e.g., hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. Referral to specialists will be made as determined by the clinician, at the patient's expense. For this reason, all students are strongly encouraged to maintain health insurance.

If a patient with a chronic illness requires ongoing labs, those labs can be drawn at the Student Health Service at the patient's expense. Patients needing ongoing medications may also be seen here for that purpose but continued and documented follow up with the primary care provider managing the disorder may be required.

Prescriptions for psychotropic medications may be given, but ongoing counseling elsewhere is usually recommended in this situation. Patients may be referred to the ASU Counseling Center or to an outside mental health care provider.

Patients may be admitted for treatment and observation. At the close of daily clinic services, students are evaluated by a nurse, in consultation by phone with a nurse practitioner and/or physician. Those deemed too ill for discharge home are sent to the Emergency Department at Watauga Medical Center.

The Health Service is closed during all university holidays. Limited service is available during academic breaks. Hours are published on the Health Service website and are posted at the Health Center. When the Health Service is closed, a nurse triage telephone service is available to help students with health questions. It is accessed by calling 262-3100.