Communities across the country are seeing a dramatic rise in three illnesses: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. If you do begin to feel sick, it is important to seek the most appropriate care for the symptoms you are experiencing. As always, if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
However, the State of Texas has reported that hospitals are seeing surges in patients visiting emergency departments for non-emergency medical conditions, such as mild symptoms and routine testing. Seeking care for non-emergency needs at care sites other than emergency rooms, such as your primary care physician’s office, can help lower wait times and reserve hospitals for those in need.
Another option is virtual care on the MyBSWHealth app, which you can download by texting BETTER to 88408. The app and virtual care are open to all – users need not have been a patient of Baylor Scott & White prior to using this service, as a medical record is established once users begin the process.
Baylor Scott & White Health providers are now on call 24/7 through the app and MyBSWHealth website to offer care in under an hour for a number of the most common conditions.
- Video visits let you complete a face-to-face visit with a provider using a camera-enabled device.
- An e-Visit is a five-minute telehealth questionnaire about your symptoms which results in a response from a provider in less than an hour.
- A variety of conditions can be addressed including cold, flu, allergies, skin conditions, stomach/digestive issues, bladder infections, skin and nail problems, birth control refills, sprains and strains and more.
For more information on virtual care, visit bswhealth.com/virtual-care.