Author: Darius Barker

Virtual Urgent Care

What is Virtual Urgent Care?

Darius Barker

Virtual Urgent Care allows patients to consult with a provider via video conference from the comfort of home for non-life threatening issues. It is available on demand for adult and pediatric patients.

Virtual Urgent Care

JetMED Phoenix -Virtual Urgent Care Phoenix is a way for you to meet with a doctor through a video conference on your smartphone, tablet or computer. It’s used for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, such as a sore throat, earache, stomach pain, or allergies.

To participate in a video visit, you’ll need to log into the Connect app on your mobile device or desktop. Then, you’ll be automatically directed to a virtual waiting room. When you’re ready, click “Start Visit” to begin your session.

During your appointment, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history and may recommend medication or other treatment options. You can expect to talk with your provider for about 10 minutes. It’s helpful to have a pen and paper nearby so you can write down any questions or concerns you might have. If possible, you should also weigh yourself and take your blood pressure (if you have the equipment) before the call begins.

A telehealth visit allows you to receive care without leaving home or work, and it can be less stressful than navigating busy doctor’s office traffic or waiting at a clinic. But, it’s important to remember that it cannot replace in-person visits with your physician. It’s especially important to seek in-person care if you have a life-threatening illness or injury, like chest pain or trouble breathing. If you’re experiencing a life-threatening condition, please dial 911 immediately.

When you participate in a telehealth visit, it’s important to choose a quiet, well-lit space and make sure your camera is clear. It’s also a good idea to have a friend or family member on hand, so they can help you raise your voice and ask any questions you might have. They can also take notes for you, if needed.

You can also save time by downloading the Symptom Checker app or filling out an e-visit form and get a diagnosis right away. You’ll be matched with the next available doctor to speak with, and you can even request a prescription or discharge instructions from your healthcare provider through the app. Your care notes will be securely messaged straight into your doctor’s electronic medical records system, where they can be shared with the rest of your healthcare team.

How does a telehealth visit work?

If you have an urgent medical question, such as a headache, rash, or sore throat, you can use your phone to connect with a healthcare provider through a video consultation. You can also receive a prescription through telehealth, making it easy to get the care you need without having to make an appointment or travel to a clinic.

You can schedule a virtual visit directly on your MyChart website or app. Simply log in to your account, click Menu, and select 24/7 Urgent Care. You can also access telehealth from a computer with internet browser, or through a tablet or smartphone using a free, simple-to-use telehealth app.

When you schedule your virtual urgent care appointment, you will be prompted to choose an available time slot or clinician, and answer questions about your symptoms. You can also provide information about your primary care physician or request that the healthcare provider send a report to your doctor. Depending on your insurance plan, you may have to pay for a telehealth visit out of pocket or the provider may bill your insurance directly.

Before your scheduled telehealth appointment, it’s important to prepare for the call by ensuring that you have a stable Internet connection and a good quality headset. You should also be in a quiet place where you will be able to speak freely and can hear your healthcare provider clearly. Additionally, you should avoid eating or drinking during your visit, and make sure that any pets or children in the home will not distract you.

During the appointment, you will discuss your symptoms and medical history with the healthcare provider. Then, the provider will evaluate your condition and offer a treatment plan. In most cases, the health care provider will also recommend that you come in for further testing or an exam at one of our clinics.

In addition to providing care for your health concerns, telehealth visits can reduce the stress of coordinating work and family schedules to see your regular healthcare provider. It can also save you the hassle of dealing with traffic or finding a babysitter to care for your children while you go to your urgent care appointment.

Can I receive a prescription from a telehealth visit?

Virtual appointments, sometimes referred to as telehealth visits or telemedicine appointments, can be used for a wide range of health issues. These types of appointments allow you to meet with your doctor or nurse over a video conference from your phone, tablet, or computer. You can ask for prescription refills or schedule follow-up care during your telehealth visit, and your provider may also share your lab or imaging test results with you.

You can get a prescription from a telehealth appointment, but it depends on your condition and the provider. You’ll need to be able to communicate your symptoms and discuss your treatment options with the provider. They will evaluate your condition and prescribe a medication that fits your needs. You can then use your favorite pharmacy to get the prescription filled, or they may send it to you directly.

If you need a prescription for a controlled substance, talk to your provider about whether or not they can prescribe it via telehealth. Many telehealth providers only offer online prescriptions for non-controlled substances.

Some telehealth services require you to pay upfront and others will bill your insurance. You’ll need to check with your insurance company about telehealth coverage before you make an appointment. Some telehealth providers are in-network with your insurance plan, so you can use them without paying out-of-pocket. Other telehealth services are not covered by insurance, so you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket for your visit.

During your telehealth visit, you’ll be asked to fill out an intake form that includes information about your symptoms and medical history. You’ll be able to see the doctor on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and they will ask you questions to understand your symptoms and determine the best course of action. The visit will usually last about 15 minutes.

Virtual Urgent Care is available through the NYP Connect app for iOS and Android devices. This service is not intended to replace your primary care physician or in-person urgent care visits, and should only be used when you are experiencing a non-life-threatening medical issue that needs attention. If you are having chest pain, difficulty breathing, or significant bleeding, head to an emergency room or call 911.

What are the benefits of a telehealth visit?

When you have a medical issue that doesn’t need to be addressed at an emergency room, telehealth offers you convenient and accessible care from your home. Using video or phone, you can connect with an NYP health care provider to talk about your symptoms, receive a diagnosis and get a treatment plan in minutes.

The benefits of a telehealth visit include increased convenience, access and affordability. Virtual visits provide the flexibility to see a health care provider without having to leave home and can be more affordable than an in-person office visit because you don’t have to pay for parking or other costs.

In addition, a virtual visit allows for one-on-one time with your healthcare provider. It also can reduce wait times and avoid the need to travel to an urgent care clinic or hospital emergency room.

During a telehealth visit, you can be assured that your privacy is protected as NYP follows the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All communication during the virtual visit is secure and private and can only be seen by the healthcare provider. NYP’s telehealth provider team has been carefully selected and trained to ensure the highest quality of service.

Pediatric Virtual Urgent Care is helpful for sick children who don’t need to be taken to the emergency room, such as for a cold or stomachache. The child can be seen in their own home, where they are more comfortable and can be more easily followed up with by the pediatric emergency medicine physician.

Another benefit is that the telehealth visit can be linked to your existing Sharp MyChart account. Your healthcare provider will be able to view your medical records during the visit, which can help with diagnosis and treatment. Then, following the visit, a summary of the visit is sent to MyChart and an alert is sent to your primary care doctor who can follow up with you if necessary. Additionally, you can use a credit card to pay for your visit, which may be Health Savings or Flexible Spending Account eligible. Please note, that a telehealth visit should never replace an in-person visit with your primary care doctor or emergency department for life-threatening conditions such as chest pain, trouble breathing and severe bleeding.

Plumbing

Flow Restoration: Effective Strategies for Unclogging Drains

Darius Barker

Clogged drains can cause a huge mess. Preventing them requires good drain habits and routine maintenance using safe products.

drain cleaning

Whether from hair strands, grease, non-flushable waste or accidentally flushed items, clogs can be annoying and dangerous. Knowing when to call for professional Philadelphia Drain Cleaning can help you avoid costly repairs.

A drain cleaner is an industrial-strength chemical that attacks a clog to dissolve it and allow water to flow freely again. Liquid, gel, foam, crystal, and powder cleaners all differ in formulation but typically contain bases or acids that attack organic materials like hair, grease, and paper. Most liquid drain cleaners start working on contact and, when allowed to sit for a few minutes or more, can disintegrate even the most stubborn blockages that include hair, grease, and food debris. They are easy to use, just pour down the drain and wait for the clog to be cleared.

Acidic chemical drain cleaners, which are usually only available to professional plumbers, have a very strong pH and can burn your skin and eyes, as well as damage your pipes. They work by creating a chemical reaction that generates heat within the pipe walls to melt and dissolve materials like congealed grease. This type of drain cleaner is only recommended for the most severe clogs, as repeated use can damage the plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes that are commonly found in modern homes. It can also cause the joints that connect the pipes to leak, requiring replacement.

If you must use a chemical drain cleaner, follow the directions closely and be sure to wear rubber gloves and goggles to protect your eyes and skin. These products are also very hazardous to the environment if they seep into groundwater or soil, where they can contaminate drinking water and harm plants and animals.

In addition, many chemical drain cleaners rely on a strong acidic substance such as hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) to create the necessary reaction inside your pipes. This can corrode or break down the PVC pipes that are common in modern homes, and may even damage older metal pipes.

If you’re looking for a safer alternative to chemical drain cleaners, try an enzyme-based product that relies on bacteria cultures and concentrated enzymes to break down waste. These natural cleaners are much more environmentally friendly, and can often clear clogs just as effectively as the harsh chemicals. However, they usually take a bit longer to work, and require you to not flush anything down the drain for several hours afterward.

Biological Drain Cleaners

Unlike caustic chemical cleaners, biological drain cleaners don’t use any harsh materials to eat through a clog. Instead, they introduce bacteria into your plumbing system that consumes organic waste and removes it from the pipes. Bio drain cleaners are safe for all types of pipes, and they don’t damage or corrode them like their chemical counterparts. They’re also safer for people, pets and the environment.

Biological cleaners come in liquid and dry powder form, and both work the same way. When mixed with water, they create billions of tiny bacteria that begin eating away at the organic waste in your pipes and drains. The bacterial colonies double every 30 minutes, quickly eating through anything in their path and leaving your pipes clean and smelling fresh. Unlike chemical cleaners, they’re safe for kids and pets and don’t leave behind any residue or odor.

Enzyme drain cleaners are another option, but they don’t eat through a clog the same way biological cleaners do. Instead, they liquefy fats, oils and greases (FOG) so that they can pass through your pipes and sewer system without solidifying. This process can take a while, and it may not be as effective for all types of pipes or septic systems.

When using a biological drain cleaner, it’s important to follow the instructions carefully. Most products require that you pour the solution down a drain when it won’t be used for six to eight hours. This gives the bacteria time to start working on the clog before you need to use your drain again. Many also recommend running hot water down the drain afterward to flush out any remaining bacteria and waste and prevent the clog from returning. Performing regular maintenance treatments with biological drain cleaners can keep your home’s plumbing working smoothly and reduce the need for expensive repairs.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners are much more powerful than liquid drain cleaners and operate through a process of chemical reactions that donate or receive electrons from the substance creating the clog. This chemical reaction produces heat that can melt or dissolving the clog. However, chemical drain cleaners do come with many safety concerns including a potential for harming pipes, posing health risks and emitting harsh fumes.

Most chemical drain cleaners require that the user follow a specific set of instructions to use safely. These typically include running hot water down the drain for at least 15 minutes after using the chemical cleaner. This helps to flush out any remaining chemicals and prevents them from damaging the pipes. Most chemical drain cleaners also have a warning label that advises users to wear rubber gloves and eye protection. These precautions help to prevent the chemicals from coming into contact with the skin or eyes and can prevent serious chemical burns.

Another important consideration is that most chemical drain cleaners produce a lot of heat during their chemical reactions. This heat can melt or warp plastic pipes and cause metal ones to corrode over time. It’s also important to consider if your home has a septic system, as the chemicals can kill the bacteria that naturally breaks down organic waste in your septic tank.

While chemical drain cleaners can be effective for some clogs, they are not recommended for most. Most reputable plumbers will recommend that you try more natural methods before resorting to chemical drain cleaners. These include using a drain snake or plunger. These tools are often more successful at removing severe clogs than liquid drain cleaners and can be much safer to use.

In addition, if you have used chemical drain cleaners in your home before calling for professional services, be sure to let the plumber know. This will help them better determine what the underlying problem is and how best to solve it. It will also ensure that the plumber uses safe and appropriate methods when working on your pipes.

Snakes

For serious drain clogs that a plunger simply can’t handle, you need a power alternative like a snake. The kind of snake you buy for a few bucks at the hardware store can’t compete with the powerful, highly specialised (and extremely expensive) drain snakes used by professional plumbers every day — but for simple, shallow blockages, they work just fine.

A basic drain snake consists of a long coil of metal wires attached to a crank on one end. You feed the end of the snake into your clogged pipe, and you crank the handle to push the snake down the pipe, jiggling it and applying pressure when needed to help the snake get around tight bends. The metal tines on the tip of the snake can break up and entangle soft blockages, while the hooks can grab hair and other debris.

Using a snake is far less invasive than using chemical cleaners, and you can use it multiple times without fear of damage to your pipes. It’s also much cheaper than calling in a professional plumber, and it can save you the cost of purchasing and using chemical drain cleaners.

If you want to avoid costly clogs in the future, invest in a quality sink strainer that can catch larger items of food and prevent them from entering your drain pipes in the first place. Also, always throw away garbage in a trashcan instead of dumping it down the drain, and never flush paper products down the toilet.

It’s important to learn how to use a snake before a stubborn drain problem gets out of hand, because you may not have access to a professional plumber in a hurry. Besides, being able to slither a snake through your drains yourself will be far more cost-effective than buying and using a lot of expensive chemical cleaners. It’s also a good idea to know how to use a snake for preventative maintenance, because stubborn drain clogs can strike at any time. And of course, it’s always better to avoid them altogether by practicing good plumbing habits.