Frequently Asked Questions

If your question was not featured below, please contact your local location for more information.

How do I prepare for my doctor’s appointment?

We believe in keeping our community safe. In an effort to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, please follow the tips below as you prepare for your next Parrish Medical Group visit.

24-hours ahead of your scheduled appointment please complete your pre-visit health assessment. Click here to complete online.
Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of your scheduled appointment to complete the necessary paperwork.
Bring your ID and a method of payment for any copays or coinsurance.
Remember that face masks/coverings are required to enter the premises.
Sanitize your hands prior to or upon entry.
Remain mindful of social distancing by keeping six feet of space between yourself and others.

What safety measures can patients expect?

Daily health screenings to include temperature checks are performed on everyone who enters any Parrish Healthcare facility. New walk-thru temperature check devices have been installed at Parrish Medical Center, Parrish Healthcare in Port St. John and Titusville, Parrish Health and Fitness Center and The Children's Center entrances.
Universal masking is mandated at all Parrish Healthcare facilities. This means everyone is required to wear a face covering in patient care and common areas.
Care partners are required to wear a face shield or goggles in all patient rooms to further ensure their safety and the safety of our patients.
Handwashing protocols are strictly enforced. Everyone who comes into a patient care room must wash his/her hands upon arrival and again when leaving the room. Hand sanitation stations are conveniently located in every patient room and throughout our care centers.
Social distancing protocols are enforced. Special decals have been placed throughout the various health centers to designate the proper six feet of distance that should be maintained between people in a given area.
- Occupancy limits have been carefully established in accordance with CDC guidelines within offices, meeting spaces and other common areas.
Patients with infectious conditions such as COVID-19 are isolated within specially designed isolation rooms. Special signage is placed outside of the room to alert everyone who needs to enter to first put on the proper personal protective equipment.
Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols are maintained.
Safety protocols are reviewed regularly and updated or modified as needed.

Are there hospital visitation restrictions?

Yes. Visitor restrictions continue. Read more at parrishhealthcare.com/visitorupdate

What are COVID-19 symptoms?

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

What should a person do if they suspect exposure to or have COVID-19?

If you suspect exposure or have COVID-19, call your local health care provider or health department, and ask how best to be evaluated. If you’re interested in registering for a COVID-19 test please visit, parrishhealthcare.com/COVID19Registration. A care navigator will assist you with scheduling a test and provide you with additional resources.

Can a person have COVID-19 without having symptoms?

Yes. That’s why it is advisable to wear a face covering that covers your nose and mouth when in public and to maintain at least six feet of distance from others when possible.

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?

On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, so that the first COVID-19 vaccines are available to individuals 16 years of age and older. Please visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/covid-19-vaccines-in-florida/ for information regarding vaccine distribution and other resources.

Who should be tested?

Anyone with symptoms should get tested.Fever, cough, shortness of breath and recent loss of smell or taste are some of the common symptoms. As of July 2020, in line with guidelines originally issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prioritize COVID-19 testing for those individuals at greatest risk, Quest Diagnostics, and other state laboratories, have implemented a Priority Specimen Handling Program:

Priority 1 Testing: hospitalized patients, health care facility workers with symptoms; pre-surgical patients in acute care settings.

Priority 2 Testing: patients in congregate (long-term care and correctional) facilities with symptoms; patients over age 65 years with symptoms; patients with underlying conditions with symptoms; first responders with symptoms.

Priority 3 Testing: critical infrastructure workers with symptoms; individuals with symptoms who do not meet any of the above categories; health care facility workers and first responders; individuals with mild symptoms in hot zone communities

Where can I be tested?

Testing locations vary to accommodate and serve all areas of the North Brevard Community. For more information about testing sites visit parrishhelathcare.com/COVID19registration

How do I register for testing?

Testing is by appointment only. Visit parrishhealthcare.com/COVID19Registration to pre-register and request an appointment.

How much does the test cost?

There is no out-of-pocket cost for this test.

Are there hospital visitation restrictions?

Yes, visitor restrictions remain. Read more at parrishhealthcare.com/visitorupdate.

Should I be concerned if PMC is treating COVID-19 patients and/or should I cancel my appointment at PMC?

No, all patients will be treated and cared for using our safety protocols. All persons with suspected infectious diseases will be treated with necessary caution to prevent the spread.

What do I do if my test comes back positive?

Stay home; 14-day home isolation and at-home care is what most people will need if they test positive for COVID-19. If you’ve been in close contact with people in the time beginning two days before you got sick, inform them that you have COVID-19.

You should also:

Keep track of your symptoms
Get rest and stay hydrated
If you think your symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) are worse than a common cold or flu, call your health care provider or 911 if it is an emergency. Be sure to tell them that you have tested positive.

If you share your home with others:

Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
Wear a facemask when you are within 6 feet of others.
Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces-door knobs, counters, refrigerator handles, etc.- every day.
Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
Sleep in a separate bedroom if possible.

If you are struggling to manage your symptoms and cannot access the care you need, register for a Care Navigator to contact you at parrishhealthcare.com/COVID19Registration.

What do I need to know if my test comes back negative?

If you test negative for COVID-19 by a viral test, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. However, that does not mean you will not get sick. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. You should still take steps to protect yourself and others, such as practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and wear a face covering in public.

If I have recovered from COVID-19, will I be immune to it?

The CDC and Infection Prevention partners are investigating to determine if you can get sick with COVID-19 more than once. At this time, it is unclear if you can become re-infected. Until we know more, continue to take steps to protect yourself and others.

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your local health care provider or health department, and ask how best to be evaluated. Call ahead. Do not go to your health care provider or hospital without calling first.

Is Parrish Healthcare prepared to handle these COVID-19 cases?

Yes, PMC is prepared to treat patients with all manner of infectious diseases including COVID-19. PMC also is prepared to do so at a pandemic level, if needed. PMC will treat patients as part of a community wide plan in coordination with public health authorities.

Is PMC prepared for a surge in COVID-19 cases?

Parrish Healthcare has been swift to mobilize our COVID-19 response dedicating all necessary resources to assure the health and safety of our fellow care partner (employees, medical staff and volunteers), patients and the community we serve.

How is a patient treated for COVID-19?

The basic premise of preventing disease transmission is to identify patients who show symptoms, isolate those patients from others for appropriate assessment and inform appropriate staff and authorities for further response. People with symptoms will be required to wear a mask. Based on the screening and vital signs, they will be isolated from other patients while COVID-19 test results can be verified. Patients who test positive for COVID-19 are isolated and treated. We are currently following recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health for therapeutic management of COVID-19 patients including use of antivirals and monoclonal antibodies. Specific interventions are taken in more severe cases, or with patients with compromised immune systems or complex illnesses.

What can I do to avoid COVID-19?

To avoid COVID-19, you should:

Keep your hands clean.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wear a face covering to keep germs from spreading to others.
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces routinely.
Avoid close contact with people; maintain six feet of distance.
Stay home when you are sick.

Should I wear a face mask?

Yes, according to the CDC recommendations wearing a face mask protects you and those around you.

Source: CDC, the definitive source for prevention and procedure for infectious diseases in the U.S.