Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital issued the following announcement on March 10.
As cold and flu season continues, and COVID-19, or novel coronavirus 2019, has spread to the United States, there are virtual tools available to help you get medical advice and free prescription delivery from select pharmacies.
“Consulting with a provider from your home can help you get treatment options and help to prevent the spread of disease,” said Gina White, virtual care manager at Memorial Health System. “Most often respiratory illnesses require at-home care and there’s no need for you to leave home.”
Here are five reasons to use virtual care when you have a respiratory illness:
Virtual care allows you to consult with a clinician from anywhere, even if you’re on a trip away from home or at work.
No travel involved. Traveling to an appointment or clinic location can be an inconvenience when you’re not feeling well.
Avoid busy offices and lounges. During times when there is a high volume of respiratory illness, clinics can get overwhelmed by the number of appointments. If there is a wait, virtual visits allow for you to rest comfortably at home.
Save time. Most virtual care visits take less than 15 minutes. You save time by remaining at home, filling out documentation online and speaking with a care provider sooner.
Reduce the spread of infection. Respiratory viruses like the common cold, influenza and COVID-19 spread easily. In addition to prevention efforts like getting the flu vaccine for the flu and washing your hands regularly, the best method of preventing infection is to avoid being exposed. When you receive care at home, you can avoid spreading your illness to others.
“It’s important to go to seek in-person medical care if you need it, and we can help you determine if you may need to go to a doctor’s office or the hospital,” White added.
Do you have a respiratory illness?
If you feel sick and over-the-counter medications aren’t helping, call your primary care provider or contact virtual care. MemorialNow is a virtual care app available on Android and Apple devices, as well as desktop computers.
Memorial Health System has processes in place at our hospitals and affiliate locations to screen and identify potential case of infectious disease, including COVID-19. We are prepared to safely care for patients. Learn more about our response to COVID-19.
For more information about the public health response to novel coronavirus 2019, visit the Illinois Department of Health or CDC websites.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
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