Your cooperation is key in allowing us to do all we can do to mitigate the virus’s spread. As you may know, it’s possible for individuals who do not exhibit symptoms to spread COVID-19. Therefore, it’s vital that we continue to follow the procedures and guidelines set by the CDC:

• All surfaces within our offices are regularly cleaned and sanitized, as well as exam rooms after every patient 

• Patients check in for appointments from their car and remain there until an examination room is available

• Before any patient enters the office, they are required to wear a face mask

• Patients are led directly into the examination room

Please remember to bring a mask with you to your appointment as we have a limited supply available to us. Also, please take steps to make your wait more comfortable, like bringing water and wearing comfortable clothing.

Lastly, if you are unable to wait in your car, we do offer telemedicine appointments, which can be scheduled by clicking here.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times. Rest assured, your health and safety are our number one priority.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office: 844-797-8425.

The post We Appreciate Your Patience & Understanding appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Though, with what is quickly becoming the norm for this year, you might be wondering what adjustments need to happen to keep the coronavirus spread to a minimum? We will touch on a few safety concerns for this year’s 4th of July celebration. 

Fireworks Safety Tips

As exciting as fireworks can be, there is a risk of using them. Fireworks can cause burns and eye injuries in kids and adults. Lighting fireworks at home isn’t legal in many areas due to this, so if you want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first.

Keep Things Fun – and Safe

• Kids should never handle any fireworks. Even sparklers, which thought of as safe, can reach temperatures up to 1,800°F. If you give your kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from their face, clothing, and hair

• Only purchase legal fireworks and store them in a cool, dry place. Most fireworks are heavily regulated and having proper labels with warnings. Even still, many illegal fireworks always find their way into homes and still account for injuries.

• Never build your own fireworks.

• Only use the fireworks outside in an area with space and keep a source of water nearby (bucket of water or hose)

• Steer clear of a fireworks path when lighting them, keeping in mind they can backfire and shoot off in the wrong direction.

• Never throw or point fireworks at someone.

There are many more rules to remember when setting off fireworks on your own. Click Here for a full list of safety regulations.

COVID-19 Reminders

We are still dealing with the coronavirus that has compromised our work and social lives. While things are beginning to open up cautiously, we want to remind you that we aren’t out of the weeds yet.

Maintain the regulations that have been coached into us over the past several months. Wear a face mask when out and around others, keep about 6 feet between yourself and others, wash your hands frequently, and remember that you can transmit the virus while asymptomatic.

Have a great, safe, and food-filled July 4th weekend. With proper precautions regarding both fireworks and COVID-19, you can make a memory-filled weekend with friends and family.

The post Tips to Stay Safe this 4th of July Weekend appeared first on Quick Med Care.

First and foremost, taking the proper precautions to limit the lifespan of this pandemic doesn’t have to be political. These precautions are vital if we want to continue to keep our local businesses open to support our community.

On June 26th, the governor had to close bars due to poor compliance of some of our folks. I believe this governor is a very good supporter of individual liberty, but we cannot live in a selfish bubble where life is all about one’s self.

We are surrounded by other human beings and it’s imperative that we take a selfless approach to the health of our entire community. Our actions, whether positive or negative, will come back to affect all of us.

By refusing to take basic precautions, we are indirectly contributing to a premature loss of life that can be easily avoided. I personally value life and anyone it includes: whether they are unborn or alive, old, young, white, black, brown – even pets and animals.

Citrus county is the second oldest county in the country in terms of average age. These folks are at a high risk of dying of this disease, not to mention many younger folks who have undiagnosed immune problems.

If we don’t care for the vulnerable folks in our community, who will? Please don’t lose our humanity over politics!! We can work together to overcome this pandemic by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and being vigilant about washing our hands.

This is not a political issue – it’s a human issue.

Dr. Dacelin St. Martin is a triple board certified physician in adult internal medicine, pediatrics, and sleep medicine. He is the medical director of Quick Care Med.

The post Thoughts from Dr. Dacelin St. Martin on the Importance of Selflessness appeared first on Quick Med Care.

but with the recent outbreak, we are taking additional measures to ensure your safety.

We want our patients to feel safe no matter how they choose to be seen; in a traditional office setting or via Telemedicine.

Here’s an Overview of our Process for Office Visits

• Patients will be pre-screened at check-in for COVID-19 related symptoms

• Those who have COVID-19 related symptoms will be asked to register in their vehicle

  and will be brought directly into an exam room when the provider is ready to see them

• Those who do not have COVID-19 related symptoms:

   •May choose to wait in their car if they prefer to OR

   •They may remain in the lobby while following safe distancing procedures

We’re Taking Additional Steps to Ensure your Safety

• Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the lobby and exam rooms

• Routine cleaning of the lobby, counters, restrooms, and door handles

• Lobby magazines, books, and children’s toys have been removed as these items are

  difficult to disinfect

•Exam rooms are sanitized after every patient

•Limit of 1 accompanying person per patient

•All employees’ temperatures are checked at the beginning and end of every shift

•Staff are wearing appropriate PPE, which may include masks, gloves, and sometimes goggles and suits, to reduce risk of exposure so we may stay healthy to care for our communities 

In addition to our precautionary methods, we continue to offer same-day COVID-19 testing. Click here to find out how to schedule an appointment at one of our locations or via Telemedicine.

The post We’re Taking Steps to Keep our Offices Germ-Free appeared first on Quick Med Care.

STEP 1: Schedule a Screening Appointment

Option A — Call our COVID-19 Hotline: (844) 797-8425, Option 0 (Monday-Friday 9am to 4pm) to set up an initial screening visit at one of our locations. Click here to see addresses and contact information for our 11 locations across central Florida.  

OR

Option B — If you prefer to have your initial screening visit via Telemedicine, click here to schedule a date and time for an appointment. Telemedicine is covered 100% by most insurances for COVID-19 related visits and as low as $49 for self pay.

STEP 2: Two COVID-19 Coronavirus Testing Options

Option A — If you are experiencing symptoms, you will be screened for COVID-19 using an FDA-approved lab test. 

Option B — If you are not currently experiencing symptoms, you will be screened using the FDA-approved antibody lab test. Results will show past infection of COVID-19 or current infection, even if no symptoms are being experienced. 

Following your Telemedicine or In-Office visit, you will be directed to either our Crystal River or Silver Springs location for FDA-approved COVID-19 lab test or FDA-approved COVID-19 antibody test.

Additional Testing Information

– Lab tests results will be available in approximately 3 business days from receipt of your sample.

– Hours for COVID-19 testing at our Crystal River and Silver Springs locations: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

– Once we receive your COVID-19 test results from the lab, one of our representatives will call you to inform you of your status.

Stay Germ-Free!

As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to COVID-19. Remember to remain vigilant when taking steps to prevent exposure to the Coronavirus by thorough handwashing, social distancing, wearing a face covering and eye protection.

Remember, it’s still possible to spread the virus if you’re asymptomatic (not showing symptoms). Stay safe, and please feel free to give us a call with any questions or concerns.

The post Same-Day COVID-19 Testing Appointments Now Available! appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Many of us pay tribute to our fallen soldiers by playing flowers on gravesites or memorials. A national moment of remembrance happens at 3:00 pm local time.

Like any occasion, we’re free to pay our respects in our own way with quiet thoughts or through prayer. Also, the day is reserved for a day with loved ones; where we fire up the grill and get the pool ready for a day of lounging, or if you have kids, cannonballs.

Either way, accidents can happen, and sickness never takes a break for holidays. If you need medical help, our doors are open.
~ Click here to see a list of locations and hours of operation.

Telemedicine appointments are also available on Tuesday, May 26th.
~ Click here to set your appointment to be seen from home through telemedicine.

Again, stay healthy and safe, and enjoy your time with family and friends.

The post Quick Care Med is Open on Memorial Day! appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Thankfully, most state and country areas are beginning to reopen and loosen the restrictions placed upon gatherings. That means this year’s grill therapy with friends and family does not need to be skipped. With that in mind, you should probably still take precautions and do what you can to maintain a safe environment.

Clean and Sanitize

If you plan on hosting this year’s Memorial Day weekend party, you’ll typically tidy up to make sure the house and outside areas. This is the year to take it up a notch and ensure everything is disinfected and clean.

Start with some soapy water and give every surface a thorough wipe, focusing on dense traffic areas like counters, tables, door handles, etc. This is an excellent time to give walls, doors, and cabinets a wipe-down as well.

Follow that up with a disinfectant spray, giving everything a spritz and a wipe with a clean cloth.

Be Picky about your Guests

This is a great opportunity to comb through the guest list and be particular about the people you invite. Be mindful of potential guests who would be considered high-risk. Those who are around infected people may unwittingly spread the virus at your gathering.

Tell your guests that if anyone has a fever or any other illness symptoms to stay away, please. Maybe check temperatures of guests as they enter your home. It is your house, after all, better safe than sorry.

Be sure to keep the guest list small as well. Yes, things are starting to open back up, but that doesn’t mean there are no rules. Ensure you have enough space for your guests to comfortably maintain that 6-foot distance and invite accordingly.

Safe Activities

Most Memorial Day party activities won’t be hindered by safe practices this year. Things like cooking food, eating, and swimming in the pool are safe.

Cooking in and of itself will take care of most any bacteria, and if you keep clean hands and utensils, there will be a minimal risk for all involved.

Some may worry about a pool’s ability to hinder any spread. If you keep your family pool properly chlorinated, the chlorine will do its job and keep your pool clean. Chlorine does a great job of knocking out bacteria and such very quickly.

This year’s Memorial Day gathering should go off without too much concern as long as the proper precautions are taken. Go and have a great, safe weekend and remember to take some time in reverence of the fallen for our country.

The post How to do Memorial Day Safely appeared first on Quick Med Care.

We all know the usual wash your hands, wear a mask, keep a distance that’s been repeated ad nauseam, and work from home. One of the things usually not mentioned is the protection needed for your eyes. 

Between the battery of electronic devices that are the new normal for many of us working from home and the ability of infectious diseases to be transmitted via the eye’s mucous membranes, the eyes can be susceptible to many dangers that we may not think about often. Luckily, a couple of different types of eyewear are available to us that can help us mitigate these issues. They will alleviate the strains we put our eyes through and keep us and our eyes healthy.

Blue Filter Lenses

With as much time as we spend in front of our electronic devices such as computers, phones, and televisions, the strain it places on our eyes becomes apparent. While some research suggests that it’s general digital overuse and not blue light that causes eye problems, the anecdotes from consumers are hard to ignore.

Using blue filtering glasses, we can improve sleep, especially for those who find ourselves on our devices late into the evening. However, many vision-related organizations urge moderation in screen use. Most suggest adopting the 20-20-20 rule. This means that every 20 minutes, you look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps to relax the eye muscles and relieves eye strain. 

In addition to reducing the strain we experienced through the day working on our computers, there are some other benefits of filtering blue light from our devices. Researchers agree that blue light from devices holds back your body’s production of sleep-inducing Melatonin. This hormone helps your body know when it’s time to sleep and wake up. Thus, the interruption of this process will cause issues with your sleep patterns. 

Safety Glasses

On the other end of the spectrum is our time spent outside the home and around others. Eyes are one area of exposure that many people forget about, and as such, don’t take the proper precautions to prevent catching the virus via the eyes.

Well-fitted goggles provide the most reliable and practical eye protection from splashes, sprays, and respiratory droplets. Many styles fit over prescription glasses with minimal gaps. Keep in mind that goggles will only protect your covered eyes and not other parts of the face. However, common sense dictates that using eye protection that keeps your eyes from taking a frontal attack as you walk through a mist of someone else’s respiratory droplets, will give you some added protection. Thus, the more protection you give your eyes, the better chances you have to avoid the virus.

Those who work in the healthcare field and those exposed to large groups, face shields are commonly used as an infection control alternative to goggles. Unlike goggles, a face shield offers some protection to other parts of the face, but must be handled with care as the exposed front of the face shield could carry the virus and if touched, could be transferred to your mouth, nose or eyes, during one of the thousands of times we feel our face every day.

Eyewear alone is not enough.

With all the available options, what is most important is remembering that these products alone will not keep you healthy and safe. These are tools to use in concert with social distancing, washing of hands, hand sanitizers, not shaking hands, face coverings for yourself, those around you, and quarantining yourself when you don’t feel well. All these measures will help all of us not catch the Coronavirus COVID-19. Stay safe. 

The post Protective Eyewear: Take Care of Your Eyes & Stay Healthy appeared first on Quick Med Care.

It’s hard enough to get kids to do their homework, let alone being responsible for guiding them through an entire curriculum. We’re going to take a moment to give you some tips on keeping your juniors motivated, positive, and productive.

Routine and Consistency are your Friends

Set a routine and see things fall into place, day after day, and in this instance, week after week. Perhaps learning is done in the morning, while fun activities are in the afternoon.

Please communicate with your kids and let them know what’s expected of them. Better yet, set goals and reward them once schoolwork has been accomplished.

Rewards can be simple, like additional playtime with a favorite game or activity, or a favorite food for dinner. Mix it up and spend time with your kids that involve out-of-the-ordinary adventures, like exploring the field behind your house or allowing the family dog to sleep in your child’s room.

Empower your Kids

What’s critical is that you empower kids to make up their rewards; however, you’re bound to get some pushback in some instances and be prepared to listen and empathize with frustrations. Allow your kids to feel involved with the learning-reward process on all levels.

Sometimes you won’t budge on rules, which is why a simple explanation can help your kids accept specific guidelines. Tantrums and nagging are bound to happen, so taking defiance in stride is essential for the family dynamic and your sanity. Take a breather and give your child a break before you reintroduce the problem topic.

Try to remain positive and know that as our communities continue to reopen, you will have more resources available to keep your kids occupied and mentally stimulated.

Remember to stay vigilant regarding handwashing, practicing social distancing, and wearing a face covering. If you or your kids feel sick, feel free to drop by one of our locations in central Florida, or schedule a telemedicine visit by clicking here. 

The post Homeschooling: How to Keep Kids Happy & Motivated appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Most of us have a designated work area at home, whether it’s an actual office or a kitchen table. You have a few factors if you want to get your work done: organization, communication, and routine.

Make Organization a Priority

An excellent way to stay on top of your work game, and stay organized, is to make a daily schedule or list of things to accomplish. Hey, this works wonders in the actual workplace, so why not at home, right?

It’s also a good idea to pay attention to your work area to ensure it stays neat and tidy. A chaotic work environment makes it hard to concentrate and can lead to avoidable mistakes.

Keep the Channels of Communication Open

Reliable communication is critical too. Try starting your day with a teleconference with coworkers. Their faces may not always be smiling, but it’s a good reminder that they’re there for you, and just a WhatsApp or phone call away if you need clarification or help with a task.

Routine is a Good Thing

Establishing a routine is also critical. Without office life structure, it’s easy to put in even more hours than in a conventional office setting. Granted, you may have to put in more hours to help keep things running smoothly for your organization, but there comes a time when you need to set parameters.

Don’t forget to establish a routine that leads to some personal fulfillment. It’s so easy to let days slide away from you. Before you know it, you’ve been wearing the same pineapple-print button-down for weeks. Sure, you slip it on a nanosecond before your morning teleconference, but do your coworkers know that?

Many of us have been unexpectedly directed to work from home during this pandemic. Love it or hate it; we all need to take the learning curve in stride and remember that this new work dynamic is not forever.

The post Tips on How to Avoid Working-at-Home Burnout appeared first on Quick Med Care.