Flu-like illnesses have arrived in South Florida. To help keep the flu in check, Baptist Health is providing free virtual visits in January through its telehealth service, Care On Demand (use code: FREEFLU).
The Baptist Health Care On Demand application is a virtual medical consultation service available around the clock that allows people to see a physician through a video chat over smartphones, tablets and personal computers. The diagnosis and prescribed treatment take place immediately, helping family members get back on the job or to school more quickly.
“We want to make it easy for people who are feeling sick to get help quickly. A virtual doctor visit is shown through research to be effective to determine whether a person’s symptoms of fever, cough, body aches and sore throat are a result of the flu or caused by another illness. People should get a diagnosis within 48 hours of feeling the first symptoms for prescribed influenza antiviral therapies to be beneficial,” said David Mishkin, M.D., medical director of Care On Demand.
“A virtual doctor visit also prevents spread of the illness by keeping germs at home,” he added.
Should a virtual consultation lean toward a more serious illness other than the flu, such as strep throat, bronchitis or meningitis, the caller will be directed to a Baptist Health outpatient center for tests and/or a physical examination. About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 10 hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has more than 19,500 employees and more than 3,000 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram.
