The holiday season is a busy time of the year. From parties and cookie swaps to decorating the tree and taking pictures with Santa, there is no rest for the weary at Christmastime. But you’re not the only busy one—emergency rooms often see a significant uptick in patients during the holiday season. Some hospitals treat as many as 10%-15% more patients on Christmas Day than other days of the year.   Why Are Hospitals So Busy During the Holidays?  At this time of the year, people may cheat on their doctor-ordered diets, choosing to eat sodium-rich foods that can exacerba ..read more

Have you been mindlessly scratching your skin for a while now? Pay attention. Although itchy skin rashes are common and most are harmless, some can be a sign of something more serious, such as cellulitis. Also, try not to scratch too much because you can easily break your already compromised skin. The resulting wound can then become infected and may leave a scar after it heals.   A minor skin rash should improve on its own within a few days. In the meantime, you should gently clean the affected area with warm water and a mild cleanser, then pat it dry (don’t scrub or rub your skin) a ..read more

Various conditions can be linked to the lungs, some being temporary and treatable and others being chronic and progressive. Because of this range, it may be difficult for people who are struggling with breathing to narrow down the specific condition or disorder causing their symptoms. This is especially true when it comes to terms like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, two diseases that are marked by shortness of breath. Many people may think these terms are interchangeable, but that’s actually not true. Let’s explore each of these conditions and how they differ.  ..read more

Meet the DispatchHealth Rover  When a patient, a caregiver, or a community provider requests a visit from DispatchHealth, they can expect two medical professionals—a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner, along with a DispatchHealth Medical Technician (DHMT)—to arrive within just a few hours via one of our state-of-the-art rovers. As one of the industry’s leading mobile healthcare providers, we rely on these rovers and expertly trained clinical teams to help us deliver the treatment that our patients need ..read more

In a fast-paced, technologically driven world, healthcare systems have started to evolve. Telehealth, for example, has made it possible for healthcare networks to provide patient care in a virtual setting where immediate medical services are only a click away. While convenient options like these have extended the reach of facility-based medical care, they cannot replace the unique value of holistic, patient-centered care and treatment plans. Thankfully, there’s another option: in-home medical care. DispatchHealth is helping to improve patient treatment by shifting the site of care t ..read more

At DispatchHealth, delivering human-centered care is at the heart of everything we do. It’s important to us to deliver a positive healthcare experience to our patients during every stage of our process—from the moment someone requests a visit, they should feel like a valued member of the DispatchHealth family. That’s why we work hard to continually streamline our care process for our patients. Human-centered care is not content with the status quo; rather, it is about working to better understand the needs of our patients so that we can provide the best possible service to them ..read more

We’re approaching another holiday season with the backdrop of COVID-19. For many people, this is the only time of year to see certain family members, which presents an issue of wanting to spend quality time together without risking anyone’s health. Older relatives are also at a higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19, so it’s especially important to be aware of how to safely visit these family members during the holidays.   Limit the People You Come Into Contact With  If you know exactly when you’ll be seeing older relatives, it is rec ..read more

December 3 is recognized as International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD).  Persons with disabilities face a range of barriers that hinder their access to services, but what many people may not realize is that one of these barriers is sustainable access to healthcare. That’s right—despite typically experiencing increased health challenges, persons with disabilities have less access to health services than those without disabilities. Why is this? What steps can be taken to improve sustainable access to healthcare?   How Healthcare for Persons&nbs ..read more

Family caregivers play an essential role in our society. In addition to performing day-to-day tasks for their loved ones—such as cooking for them, bathing them, managing their medications, and helping them get around the house and to their appointments—caregivers also:  Provide companionship – When someone is healthy and active, they regularly have opportunities for social interaction, whether it be while they’re at the grocery store or out for a run. But for individuals who are homebound, this interaction can be much harder to come by, the lack of which could have serious health consequ ..read more

While the holidays are a source of cheer for many, they are a source of stress for others. This makes sense when you consider all of the traveling, shopping, entertaining, and planning that people often have to deal with during this busy time. And with COVID-19 still a concern, planning for a safe holiday can add another layer of stress. Stress can lead to issues with your mental health such as anxiety and depression. It can also lead to physical health issues such as insomnia, headaches, body aches, and other forms of physical pain. Luckily, there are many ways to manage your health during th ..read more