An update from CenterPlace Health in Sarasota County—

CenterPlace Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center. Our population is largely low-income, often uninsured. Though we accept many forms of insurance, we also offer a sliding fee scale for patients who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford health services. Without Health Centers like CenterPlace, many would go without needed medical care, or they might go to the ER instead, which is very costly. We have three sites in Sarasota County.  

We are testing and treating for COVID-19. We’re an especially good option for people that don’t already have a provider or may be uninsured. The first positive patient we tested for COVID-19 was so grateful that we were able to provide treatment and appropriate follow-up. (We’re able to provide her contact information if you’d like).  We’re working with the DOH and City of Sarasota and will be do community testing in the next few weeks (dates TBD). 

We’ve adapted in the face of the epidemic.  We’ve set up triage stations outside our buildings to check temperatures and assess symptoms, limiting visitors and enforcing social distancing in our patient spaces. We’ve implemented AM/PM scheduling: Morning visits for well-patients, afternoon visits for those who are sick, with good sanitation of all patient spaces in-between. We’ve introduced telehealth – making it easier for our patients to safely connect with our providers via ‘virtual’ visits.

We’ve also expanded partnerships. In response to Dakin Dairy’s problem of surplus milk, we’ve been able to secure donations through a local church to provide milk for our patients. The milk doesn’t go to waste, and our patients are benefiting. There are literally now fridges with milk in our lobby space and it’s such a hit.

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