CEO Mike Klein and the Solantic/CareSpot team are gearing up to launch a new healthcare brand that delivers more convenience and exemplary service.

Nashville, Tenn./Jacksonville, Fla. – Solantic, the largest operator of urgent care centers in Florida, is changing its name to CareSpot Express Healthcare to represent improvements the company is making to deliver a more convenient and better healthcare experience.

“CareSpot Express Healthcare represents a new brand and a new vision for our company,” said Solantic/CareSpot Express Healthcare CEO Mike Klein. “For the past year, our new management team has been reviewing patient feedback and identifying areas of improvement as we create a new consumer-focused company. Over the next few months, we’ll be putting the pieces in place to create a better company, provide better service and deliver consumers quality healthcare at a reasonable price. Those improvements are reflected in our new name, which consumers will see starting in September.”

Here’s what consumers will see by the end of 2012:

• As many as 12 to 15 new CareSpot Express Healthcare centers, including two more centers in Florida.
• All 29 current Solantic centers in Florida will be remodeled and renamed CareSpot Express Healthcare by October.
• A new website.
• About 150 new hires, bringing the total employment to more than 700 by the end of 2012. Approximately 500 of those jobs will be in Florida.

The change also means more convenience as a result of new technology:

• Patients will be able to make appointments from their home computer or smart phones.
• Patients will be able to determine center wait times from their home computers or smart phones so they can select the most convenient option among all of the centers in their market.
• Faster check-ins since new patients will be able to register and provide patient information through the CareSpot website before their visit.
• Tablets instead of paper: Physicians, nurses and physician assistants will read patient charts using tablets because all CareSpot centers will have electronic medical records. That also means if you move from one city to another, or if you need to see a specialist, your records can be transferred faster.

Solantic/CareSpot offers treatment for a number of medical needs such as cold or flu symptoms, cuts, bruises, burns, eye and ear infections, migraines, physicals, health screenings, immunizations and vaccines, as well as a wide variety of occupational health services such as drug screening, pre-employment physicals and other services.

Solantic/CareSpot has corporate headquarters in Nashville and Jacksonville. The company currently employs 553 people. Nashville corporate HQ: 29 employees. Jacksonville corporate HQ: 47 employees. The remaining 477 people work in the Solantic/CareSpot-owned 29 urgent care centers that are open seven days a week in Jacksonville, Gainesville/Ocala, Orlando, Fort Pierce, Stuart, Vero Beach and in the Fort Lauderdale area. Solantic/CareSpot is the largest operator of urgent care centers in Florida. There are more than 435,000 patient visits to Solantic/CareSpot centers annually.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott founded Solantic in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2001. On April 29, 2011, New York-based Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS) — a $20 billion private equity firm specializing in healthcare and information services — bought up the Scott family shares in Solantic. That ended the Scott family’s involvement in the company. Mike Klein, CEO of Franklin, Tenn.-based Renal Advantage — the third-largest for-profit provider of dialysis services in the U.S. — took over as CEO of Solantic in May 2011. Visit Solantic.com to learn more.

Media contact: Lori Merricks, (205) 877-9736, Lori.Merricks@luckie.com

When temperatures rise, outdoor exercise can be a challenge. Here’s a breakdown on staying cool while staying fit.

Wearing the right clothing can help you avoid common summertime skin problems, including insect bites and rashes caused by skin contact with certain plant types.

Summertime is almost here. That means shorts, sundresses and swimsuits. To make sure your skin looks and feels smooth and healthy, Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care wants you to be aware of the summer’s most common irritants that can cause contact dermatitis (skin inflammation). Symptoms can include dry and/or red, itchy patches, rashes, bumps or blisters. Here’s what to look for and what to do if you experience dermatitis this summer:

• Household Cleaners: That spring cleaning urge accounts for many early summer skin issues. Prolonged exposure to ammonia, trisodium phosphate and other hazardous chemicals in cleaners designed to remove stains from porous surfaces and break up grease can also cause drying that breaks down your skin’s surface. Window and glass cleaners can do this, as well as irritate your eyes and nasal passages. Drain cleaners contain lye and sulfuric acid, and toilet cleaners and mold and mildew removers have pesticides and, often, bleach. Each of these is highly caustic to the skin and can cause dangerous fumes that could damage your nasal passages and lungs. Wear protective gloves and open windows to help air out chemicals. Goggles and a face mask may seem like overkill, but they’re recommended if you’re using chemicals with heavy fumes in enclosed areas that can’t be well ventilated.

• Heat: Heat rashes are common in hot, humid weather and can be marked by painful blisters or red lumps, swelling, itching and a prickly sensation. Bumps occur when sweat ducts get blocked and trap perspiration under your skin. Wear loose-fitting clothes in breathable fabrics like cotton, and use light moisturizers that won’t clog your pores.

• Sunscreen: Speaking of lotions, sunscreens are another common skin irritant. While we certainly don’t recommend foregoing sunscreen (it’s proven to help prevent premature aging and even cancer), it’s important to know that sunscreens can contain a range of skin-irritating chemicals. PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) is a usual suspect, so choose a brand labeled PABA-free. If you still suffer skin troubles, keep trying brands with different chemical mixes or try a “physical” sunscreen, which contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide. These reflect the ultraviolet (UV) radiation before it gets to your skin, whereas “chemical” sunscreens absorb into the skin, then absorb some of the UV radiation before it has time to affect your skin.

• Plants: Gardeners, hikers and campers are susceptible to poison ivy, poison oak and sumac – all of which can cause skin rashes, bumps, blisters and allergic reactions. Another culprit is plants that contain capsaicin, the chemical that makes hot peppers hot and can cause intense burning in your skin and eyes. Wear protective clothing and gloves any time you’re handling plants or may come in contact with them. If a severe rash occurs, you may need a prescribed treatment of oral steroids or Bentoquatam (IvyBlock).

• Bugs and bug repellants: Insect bites often involve the release of a venomous mixture of amino acids, peptides and proteins. While the venom of only a few species of bugs is lethal, any bug bite can bring on an allergic reaction with symptoms ranging from mild swelling and itching to a severe rash with blisters or sores. Your best bet is long sleeves and pants or even specially designed insect-repellant clothing worn by avid hikers and gardeners. Bug repellants containing DEET typically are safe for most people, but the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends using it sparingly and washing it off when you go inside.

• Shaving: Shaving your legs and underarms to get that smooth, swimsuit-friendly look can backfire if you fail to sufficiently lubricate your skin. Instead of lounging on the beach, you’ll be at home nursing itchy, burning welts. To avoid razor burn, use shaving cream or a good lathering of soap. Or choose from the huge selection of depilatory (hair removal) creams on the market. Of course, some depilatories can be irritants as well, so discontinue use immediately if your skin reacts negatively. Waxing and laser hair removal also are options.

No matter the cause, severe skin reactions should be treated quickly. If you experience one, head to your nearest Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care center.

Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care offers a full battery of physicals, wellness exams and heart screens to make sure your ticker is in top shape during American Heart Month and all year round.

If your heart skips a beat this Valentine’s Day, we here at Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care hope it has something to do with a bouquet of flowers and a candlelit dinner. But a healthy heart is important every day – not just on February 14th. That’s why the American Heart Association has named February American Heart Month and spends each week promoting heart-healthy lifestyles and tips that you can practice all year round – especially if you’re a woman.

Though breast cancer tends to get the most media, heart disease actually takes more lives each year. In fact, it is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. Upwards of a half million Americans die of heart disease each year. According to the AHA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control:

• More than a million Americans have heart attacks each year;
• The first cardiac symptom experienced by 71% of the population will be a heart attack, and one victim out of three will die;
• 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease;
• More than 82 million American adults – one in three people – are estimated to have one or more types of cardiovascular disease right now;
• About 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day – an average of one death every 39 seconds;
• Heart disease is the top cause of death among women age 20 and older, killing about one woman every minute;
• More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.

To help protect your heart, adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes daily exercise; a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fish; and laughter (the best stress-buster around). Keep your alcohol intake moderate and nix the smoking habit altogether. And most importantly, know the warning signs of a heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest.

Also, visit your nearest Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care center for regularly scheduled physicals tailored to your age, gender and lifestyle. We offer a range of physicals including several designed specifically for executives and athletes. Our physicals and wellness exams include heart health checks like EKGs and pulmonary function tests and we can tailor a health plan that addresses your unique needs and risks. No appointment is ever necessary, but you can cut through the waiting line quicker by registering online. We’re open evening and weekends to accommodate your busy schedule, so no excuses! Start taking better care of your ticker today.

Antibiotics aren't a cure-all - especially when it comes to viruses.

With cold and flu season in full swing, many patients are coming into urgent care clinics and pointedly asking physicians to prescribe them antibiotics. While an antibiotic may seem the obvious course of treatment, that’s not always the case, Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care physicians say.

Antibiotics are strong medications used for treating bacteria-borne infections such as strep throat and some ear infections. However, antibiotics offer no help against diseases caused by viruses, including the common cold or flu, most coughs and bronchitis, sore throats not resulting from strep throat and some ear infections. Yet, a tendency to treat viral infections with antibiotics over the past decades has caused the spread of antibiotic resistance.

“Every time a person takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant germs may be left to grow and multiply,” explains Dr. Nathan Newman, Chief Medical Officer of Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care. “Repeated and improper uses of antibiotics are primary causes of the increase in drug-resistant bacteria.”

The Centers for Disease Control has called antibiotic resistance one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Antibiotics often are over-prescribed by doctors, but patients can be to blame, too. Many admit to self-treating with antibiotics left over from earlier illnesses. The result is microbes that develop greater resistance to the benefits of specific drugs.

“Almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment when it is really needed,” Dr. Newman says. “These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread to family members, schoolmates, and co-workers – threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat.”

The key to preventing antibiotic-resistance infections is effective communication with your doctor about your symptoms and the best course of treatment. Other tips include:

• Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or the flu.
• Do not save some of your antibiotic for the next time you get sick. Discard any leftover medication once you have completed your prescribed course of treatment.
• Take an antibiotic exactly as the healthcare provider tells you. Do not skip doses. Complete the prescribed course of treatment even if you are feeling better. If treatment stops too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect.
• Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. The antibiotic may not be appropriate for your illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.
• If your healthcare provider determines that you do not have a bacterial infection, ask about ways to help relieve your symptoms. Do not pressure your provider to prescribe an antibiotic.

If you’re feeling ill, Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care is open extended hours and weekends and you never need an appointment. Register online to save your spot in line before you leave your home or office.

Traveling abroad for the holidays? Visit Solantic Travel Medicine to make sure you're prepared and protected.

For thousands of Americans, going home for Christmas means traveling overseas. For others, a trip to a foreign land is a new experience and a fun way to celebrate the holidays or usher in the New Year.  If you plan to spend the season abroad, you’ll need to be prepared – and that means much more than bringing along a dual-voltage hair dryer.

With a few clicks of a mouse, Solantic Travel Medicine can help you prepare for any health or medical risk you may face in the country you’ll visit. An initiative of Florida’s Solantic Urgent Care centers, Solantic Travel Medicine allows visitors to quickly search specified countries and regions and immediately access information on required or recommended immunizations. You’ll learn ahead of time about current disease outbreaks, water conditions that could affect your health, even political or social goings-on that could make traveling to a particular region unsafe. And we’ll let you know about healthcare requirements or recommendations associated with particular holidays or events.

For instance, the Saudi Arabian government requires Meningococcal vaccination for participation in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca during Hajj, the world’s largest religious gathering. And Asia’s health officials recommend seasonal flu and Japanese encephalitis vaccinations, plus preventative medications for malaria if you’re visiting during the Lunar New Year celebration that begins in January. The best news: those medications and vaccinations can be ordered right from your computer.

Preparing for your trip is easy. Simply log onto the Solantic Travel Medicine website, choose your destination via the drop-down menu, read the information and choose the immunizations you need via the checkboxes and click the “Buy Now” button. You’ll see your chosen immunizations listed in the shopping cart, along with a one-time consultation fee. Choose your preferred appointment dates and check out. A Solantic representative will call to finalize your appointment date and time. Your consultation will include a physical exam and you and your doctor will discuss your upcoming travels, including travel health tips based upon your medical history and the areas you’ll visit. Keep in mind that some vaccinations must be ordered and delivery can take a week or more, so plan ahead.

Don’t leave what could be a dream vacation to a nightmarish chance. Visit the Solantic Travel Medicine website to prepare and protect yourself today.

Statistics show an alarming number of men are lax about routine health and medical care.

“What is it with men?” Women and physicians often ask this about partners and patients who avoid even the most routine medical appointments. Statistics show that men are alarmingly lax about participating in preventative health care.

“The single most important way a man can take care of himself and of those he loves is to actively take part in his healthcare, including educating himself on health and medical issues unique to men and participating with his doctor in healthcare decisions,” says Dr. Nathan Newman, Chief Medical Officer of Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care. But research shows men largely are dodging this advice. In fact, nationwide, men are:

• 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
• 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
• 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely as women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
• 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.

Besides the obvious healthy lifestyle choices, including eating right, exercising, avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol, getting enough sleep and managing stress, Dr. Newman highly recommends men get regular medical checkups and routine screenings and tests. The most important for men are:

• Body Mass Index to screen for obesity
• Cholesterol starting at age 35, or at age 20 for those with risk factors such as diabetes, history of heart disease, tobacco use, high blood pressure or a BMI of 30 or higher.
• Blood Pressure every two years to help stave off chances of heart disease, kidney disease or stroke.
• Cardiovascular Disease beginning at age 45.
• Colonoscopy to check for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 or earlier if you have a family history of the disease.
• PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) to check for prostate cancer beginning at age 50.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases to check for gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia or other SDTs
• HIV
• Depression if you’ve noticed a marked decrease in interest in the things you usually enjoy or if you’ve felt down or hopeless over the past few weeks. Remember that depression is a totally treatable disease that can cause or contribute to other medical and physical ailments if not addressed.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm if you’re between the ages of 65 and 75 and have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in your lifetime.
• Diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 to avoid related problems with your heart, eyes, feet, kidneys and nerves.

And men, you can’t claim a busy schedule as an excuse to avoid the doctor. Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care is open extended hours during the week and on weekends. You never need an appointment and you can pre-register online. We’ll call when the doctor is ready to see you. Check our website for the Florida location nearest you.

More than 3.5 million youth 14 and younger receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year.

The school sports season is in full swing. Whether your child is the football team quarterback or a star swimmer, he’s at risk for a sports injury. Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care centers throughout Florida are on standby to diagnose and treat your child’s injury and get him back on the field, the courts, the track, etc. quickly and safely.

According to sports statisticians with organizations like Safe Kids USA, the National Center for Sports Safety and the Yale Medical Group:

• More than 3.5 million youth 14 and younger receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year;
• Injuries sustained in sports and recreational activities account for 21 percent of all traumatic brain injury among U.S. children, and although rare, the leading cause of death from a sports-related injury is a brain injury;
• Children ages 5 to 14 account for nearly 40 percent of all sports-related injuries;
• 62 percent of sports related injuries occur during practices rather than during games – yet, a third of parents admit they rarely take the same safety precautions during their children’s practices that they do for a game.
• Nearly half of all sports injuries to middle and high school students are overuse injuries (occurring from repeated motion over time).

Many of these injuries can be avoided by taking the recommended safety precautions including adequately stretching before a game, wearing or using the right safety equipment, undergoing proper training and conditioning, and getting sufficient rest after an injury.

Traumatic or life threatening injuries or conditions such as strokes, heat strokes, heart attacks and head injuries involving a loss of consciousness should be treated at an emergency room.  However, if your child suffers a less serious injury such as a sprain or fracture, pulled or strained muscle, cut or severe bruise skip the long wait and costly medical bill you’ll surely get at an emergency room by going to your nearest Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care center. We’re open early morning, late evening and weekend hours with no appointment necessary. Quicker treatment can make the difference in whether your child will be safely back in the game for the next tournament.

If your child hasn’t yet begun a sport, make sure he’s prepared before trying out. Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care centers statewide offer affordable school and sports physicals. You never need an appointment and you can save time by registering online before heading out.

Centers Team Up With Local Charity to Support Jacksonville’s Youth

Solantic announced its plans to get down and dirty as the official on-site medical team
for Jax Mud Fest 2011 benefiting The Boselli Foundation.

The October 8th event, presented by Firehouse Subs, will feature a 5K Mud Run, a Kids
Mud Run and an Outdoor Festival all located at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center.

“We could not be more excited to be involved in such a worthwhile cause,” says Paul
Dickison, Director of Marketing. “Giving back to the local community is one of our new
management team’s top initiatives and Jax Mud Fest allows us the opportunity to
support the foundation’s children while keeping participants and families safe.”

Solantic joins a full house of supporters including Cox Radio, Ring Power, Coxwell, The
Brumos Companies, Total Military Management, iVenture and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

“The foundation is very happy to have Solantic and its medical staff on board,” said the
foundation’s founder Tony Boselli. “We trust the team to help us focus on our ultimate
goal; stay safe and have fun.”

One hundred percent of event proceeds will benefit The Boselli Foundation’s after
school programs striving to help children living in at-risk neighborhoods of Jacksonville.

“The event is designed for both the competitive and the casual fun seekers,” says the
foundation’s Development Director April Mitzel. “Mud Fest is an event for everyone! For
those who aren’t into getting dirty, seats are available in our spectator areas where
guests can watch friends and family slip, slide and slosh their way through the muddy
obstacles.”

For more information about the event and registration, visit www.jaxmudfest.com.

Those age 65 and older are at a particularly high risk for catching the flu. Head to your nearest Solantic Urgent Care Center today for your flu shot.

Urgent care centers in South Florida are reporting this year’s first cases of influenza – a month early. Typically, flu season begins in October or November, but it looks like the 2011/2012 season is getting a jump on us. To help keep you and your family healthy throughout the flu season, Solantic Urgent Care answers the most frequently asked questions about the flu:

What is the flu? Formally known as influenza, the flu is a highly contagious viral infection marked by severe respiratory or intestinal illness symptoms.

How do you get the flu? Unfortunately, the flu is one of the most catching viruses. When someone who has the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus becomes an airborne contagion. Anyone who happens to be nearby is at risk of breathing in that contagion and becoming infected themselves. You also can catch the flu by touching a contaminated surface, (door knobs and handles and stairway railings are common culprits) then touching your mouth, nose or eye area.

What are the symptoms of the flu? Flu symptoms include the sudden onset of severe cough, runny nose, fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and pain. Intestinal flu symptoms also include diarrhea or vomiting. Though the symptoms can be similar, the flu is much more severe than a common cold and can be deadly. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications and upwards of 23,600 people die from flu-related causes each year.

How do you treat the flu? Because the flu is a virus, there is no cure. However, several prescription antivirals have been proven to shorten the duration of the flu if taken within the first 12 to 48 hours of your earliest symptoms. Over-the-counter and homeopathic medicines can help manage symptoms like pain, fever and upset stomach. And you’ll need to drink lots of fluids (water and juice) while the virus runs its course. If symptoms persist more than a few days, head to your nearest Solantic Urgent Care center.

How do I avoid the flu? It’s all about prevention. The CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends flu shots for everyone over the age of six months, especially those at higher risk including young children, pregnant women, senior citizens 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. Caretakers of higher-risk individuals also should get a flu shot each year. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, cell phones, TV remote controls and computer keyboards with disinfectants. And avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as these are the main entryways that allow the flu virus into your body.

Make sure you’re ready for flu season with a flu shot at your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care Center. We have more than 30 Solantic urgent care clinic locations throughout Florida and you never need an appointment.