posted 3:05 pm

Dear Valued Patients

In order to continue providing the highest quality of care and safety to all our patients, we are implementing temporary precautions due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of lower respiratory illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath), and/or have been exposed to a person who has been confirmed with having COVID-19, and/or travelled to any of the affected geographic areas indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the past 14 days, we are asking you to call the clinic before visiting us to be screened over the phone and provided with proper instructions on what to do.

For patients with upcoming appointments, staff will be contacting you soon to check on your health, recent labs, and medication needs. Based on this information, your appointment will be scheduled as a Televisit or you will be provided with medication refills until your next visit. Information on Telehealth and how to access and use this technology for your visits will be provided very soon on our CAN Website at http://www.cancommunityhealth.org. In person clinic visits will be evaluated on a case by case basis as medically necessary.

We encourage you to monitor your temperature at home, as well as any signs and symptoms of a respiratory illness. Please follow the recommended CDC guidelines that include: hand washing for 20 seconds, disinfecting surfaces properly, and more importantly, avoiding any gatherings of 10 or more individuals that can increase your exposure to the Coronavirus.

It is important to know that the CDC is the most reliable and up to date information resource. Here are some helpful links that can provide you with additional information.

To open these links, press your CTRL button and click:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

Sincerely,
CAN Community Health

posted 5:15 pm

CAN Community Health Official COVID-19 Public Statement

A letter from our President and CEO

SARASOTA, FL (March 17, 2020) – The global spread of COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) is affecting all of us. At CAN Community Health, our top priority is the health and safety of our clients and employees. Our effort to protect the most vulnerable and to care for the sick requires our communities’ compassion and all our participation. We have been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and have a team of experts and medical professionals to address the potential threat of the virus following the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

I want to provide an update about how CAN Community Health is doing our part during these unsettling times. As rates of new infections continue to grow in other places, we’re taking additional steps to protect our clients and employees. As stated by state officials and the CDC, the most effective way to minimize the risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance.

CAN Community Health has implemented plans to help shield our clients and employees. We have enhanced our already comprehensive cleaning and sanitization processes and continued to emphasize on proper personal hygiene, including more frequent handwashing and the appropriate use of hand sanitizer and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

We have decided to temporarily close our Palmetto, Clearwater, Plantation, and North Miami locations to maximize clinical staff at our neighboring locations. If clients had scheduled appointments at any of these respective locations, please call 844-922-2777 and speak with a representative.

Beginning on Thursday, March 19, 2020, we will be launching our Telehealth platform where clients can access their healthcare professionals by video or telephone. CAN Community Health clients can register for these services via the patient portal on our website (www.cancommunityhealth.org) or call 844-922-2777 to schedule an appointment. This service is not only an attempt to facilitate medical care during these difficult times but also to provide care to those in medically underserved communities and rural locations.

In order to protect all our clients and staff, we are limiting the number of visitors while there is a threat of COVID-19 transmission. If an in-person clinical visit is medically necessary, our staff is prepared to implement extra health screenings before entering our clinics to identify and isolate patients with respiratory illnesses. If you are currently showing any signs of possible COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your local Department of Health.

We must come together as a community and heed the recommendations of our medical professional in a further effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The entire CAN Community Health family is indebted to the heroic efforts of our nation’s first responders, doctors, nurses, researchers, and public health experts. We do not yet know with certainty when the most significant risk will be behind us but are committed to continue in our role as dedicated community partners.

Sincerely,

Richard E. Carlisle, ACHE
President & CEO

posted 4:45 pm

Do you feel that you are at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19? There are a lot of practical considerations that may be useful for older persons and persons with chronic medical conditions. Please take a moment and check out this very informative web page provided by the CDC. Please Click here to see the Information.

posted 5:15 pm

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) get medical attention immediately.
In adults, the emergency warning signs are:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face