Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/550625
GO VIRTUAL FOR 24/7 CARE Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care off ers fast, personal, round-the-clock service. Phone and video chat appointments with board-certifi ed physicians and nurse practitioners are available 24/7 through Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care. For $35 per visit, you can chat with a provider about a current condition, get an online diagnosis or even request a prescription refi ll. "One of the best things about Virtual Urgent Care is you don't have to sit in the waiting room," said Daniel Diamond, MD, FAAFP, medical director for Harrison Urgent Care. "You can stay in the comfort of your own bed and wait for us to contact you. It's fast, effi cient and very personalized." Learn more about Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care by visiting FranciscanCareNow.org or by calling (855) 356-8053. For more information about our primary care providers, urgent care clinics and hospital locations, visit hibestcare.org. Seek emergency care immediately by calling 911 or visiting the closest hospital if you experience any of the symptoms listed below: • Chest pain • Coughing or vomiting blood • Deep cuts or uncontrollable bleeding • Intense, sudden headache • Numbness in the arms, face or legs • Seizures • Severe burns • Severe pain in the abdomen • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing (though asthma attacks can be treated in urgent care settings) • Sudden changes in vision • Sudden dizziness, weakness or loss of balance or coordination • Any other unusual symptom that seems life-threatening "People lose precious minutes by not calling an ambulance in the event of a truly emergent situation such as a heart attack or a stroke," Dr. Diamond said. "The clock is ticking any time these situations occur, and it is critical to seek immediate care to change the course of the illness." KNOWING WHERE TO GO AND WHEN To prepare for unexpected medical situations, establish a solid relationship with your primary care provider (PCP). He or she will be able to document your medical history and communicate it with other CHI Franciscan professionals using an integrated communication system. "The primary care provider should always be at the center of patient care and the first point of contact when illness or injury occurs," Dr. Mercado said. "We offer strong continuity of care throughout our entire system." After making a call to your PCP about a concerning medical condition, you will learn whether to go to the ED, turn to urgent care or wait to see your PCP for a consultation. chifranciscan.org /// HIGHLINE MEDICAL CENTER 7 To prepare for unexpected emergency situations, keep a list of important information in your purse or wallet. Include details regarding allergies, immunizations, any medications you are taking, and the name and number of your primary care physician and your emergency contact. If you are a patient with an active CHI Franciscan MyChart account, your CHI Franciscan emergency doctor will have access to your information online.