Hurricane Milton: Updates and safety tips 

 

Updated: 08:00 pm ET October 14, 2024 

All of our Florida locations are open and operating as usual.

As always, our virtual medical center will continue offering 24/7 care through the mySanitas app at no cost to patients. 

Virtual care is available 24/7 

Using the mySanitas app, you can access a Sanitas doctor anytime, 24/7, with no appointment and no cost. If you need to reschedule an in-person appointment due to the storm, contact Patient Services via the app or call 1-844-665-4827. 

Be prepared 

As you prepare for the storm, take these important steps to protect your health: 

1. Register for the mySanitas app: You'll have 24/7 access to care from a Sanitas doctor with no appointment and no cost. The app is available in the Apple Store and Google Play. Make sure to login for the first time before the storm approaches. 
2. Refill Your Prescriptions: If your medications might run out within the next 10 days, refill them now. Do this even if you plan to evacuate because your normal pharmacy may close during the storm and may not be able to reopen right away. You can get a 30-day supply when a hurricane warning is issued.  

Take care of yourself 

After a hurricane, common medical emergencies arise from contaminated water, food spoilage, and heat exposure. Follow these tips to stay safe: 

• Water safety: Use bottled, boiled, or disinfected water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. Don’t let children play in floodwater. And always wash your hands with soap or hand sanitizer. 
• Food safety: Discard perishable foods like meat, seafood, milk, and eggs that haven’t been refrigerated properly. Avoid food that’s come into contact with floodwater.  
• Heat exposure: If you lose power and it’s hot, watch for signs of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and fainting. Move to a cooler place, take sips of water, and take cool showers if the water is safe to use. If your medications require refrigeration, only use them until a new supply is available. 

Take care of your mental health 

Disasters can be emotionally overwhelming. Feeling stress, grief, or worry after a disaster is normal. Sanitas is here to support you: 

• Sanitas Mental Health Support: Use the mySanitas app to connect with mental health professionals who can help you manage stress. 
• Helplines: You can also call the Línea PAS Hotline at 1-800-981-0023 or SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990 for emotional support. 

Find emergency shelters 

Visit the Red Cross website to find an open shelter near you. If you have special needs, please register for shelter and transportation services in your local county as soon as possible: 

• Hillsborough
• Orange
• Osceola
• Seminole
• Palm Beach
• Broward
• Miami-Dade

To help a loved one in another Florida county register, visit https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/.

From all of us at Sanitas 

Your health and safety are our top priority. We are closely monitoring the storm and will keep you updated with any changes. Stay safe and please reach out if you need support during this time.