Guest post by Meagan Dougherty, Public Information Specialist at the Agency for Health Care Administration
“What if” is a phrase we often find ourselves using in our day-to-day lives when preparing for and often worrying about what could happen. What if the car doesn’t start this morning? What if there isn’t enough time in the day to finish my to-do list? What if? What if? What if?
Some see the “what ifs” in life as a roadblock for living carefree and moment-to-moment, but being prepared for the “what ifs” can make all the difference in a moment of crisis.
Let’s say you and your family are going on a summer vacation to Disney World, the most magical place on earth. You are packing your bags and getting excited about the great time to be had, but also preparing for any minor mishaps that may occur, as they often do when traveling with children. You have your band aids, sunscreen, pain medications and emergency credit card packed and ready to go, but what if something big happens; are you prepared? Do you know the Orlando area hospitals or clinics?
Lucky for you, there’s an App for that. The Agency for Health Care Administration has developed a smart phone application that helps you locate and receive driving directions to any health care facility regulated by the Agency. You can also search for a facility by type, county, city, proximity distance or a combination of those options. This additional resource can assist you in finding health care facilities that are near to your location and fit your needs.
Once you have chosen a facility, you can learn what type of beds and capacity the facility offers, along with lots of other information. From the app, you can also link directly to the facility’s specific website, if available, to learn more.
It’s smart to be prepared for life’s “what ifs.” Whether you are a Florida resident or just visiting the Sunshine State, the Facility Locator app is a great way you can ensure your family is prepared for an emergency situation. To download the app, you can visit Apple’s iTunes for the iPhone operating system or the Droid Marketplace for the Android phone operating system. The mobile application can also be accessed through the Agency’s internet websites www.ahca.myflorida.com or www.FloridaHealthFinder.gov.
