AdventHealth CEO Terry Shaw Appears on Face the Nation to discuss COVID-19 

AdventHealth CEO Terry Shaw was featured on CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in Florida and on the AdventHealth hospital system. Shaw shared he believes the virus will spike later in July and that the 30 AdventHealth hospitals in Florida have adequate personal protective equipment, a stockpile of ventilators, and have implemented best practices in patient care to advance treatment of the virus.

Video of the appearance can be found here.

• Length of stay in the ICU for AdventHealth hospital COVID-19 patients has dropped in half.
• The number of people coming into AdventHealth hospitals with COVID-19 that need a ventilator has been cut in half.
• AdventHealth ICU capacities are running at approximately 85-90% but can turn progressive care units into ICU units, if needed.
• Also, as a multi-state system, AdventHealth is working with one of our sister states in Colorado where we have facilities to bring clinicians from Colorado to Florida to help us staff up if we need to on an ongoing basis.

ONLINE ER RESERVATIONS

We understand the community is concerned about the rise in COVID-19 cases and many are looking for ways to stay safe while receiving necessary medical care. To limit the spread of COVID-19 through person-to-person interaction, all AdventHealth hospitals are using the online registration tool InQuicker for patients to reserve a spot in the emergency room line – when their room is open, they will be notified it’s time for care. The online tool is for someone who may have a non-life or limb-threatening emergency such as fever or a sprained ankle and needs ER care. If there is a delay in the ER, patients receive a text message and an email. In urgent emergencies such as shortness of breath or chest pains, patients should still call 911.

CONTACTLESS REGISTRATION FOR APPOINTMENTS

Additionally, AdventHealth is taking the extra step to keep patients safe and limit the spread of COVID-19 in the doctor’s office by using the online registration service - Phreesia (pronounced Free-sh-uh). The technology allows patients to skip the waiting room and in person registration at the doctor’s office and minimize in-office interaction with others outside of their doctor. Patients can register for appointments and sign forms from the comfort of home on a smart phone or tablet. Once they make an appointment, they simply upload their information and on the day of the appointment, patients receive a text to remain in their vehicle until they’re able to go directly to their assigned exam room when their doctor is ready. This eliminates time spent in the waiting room and at the registration desk.