Trinity Health Of New England Offers ‘Virtual Care’ Appointments

Press release from Saint Francis Hospital:

June 10 2020

Hartford, Conn.— While the coronavirus crisis has presented many challenges for communities and hospitals, it has served to spur the growth of some services, such as telemedicine. Saint Francis Hospital, a member of Trinity Health Of New England, offers Virtual Care services allowing patients to consult online with pediatricians, primary and urgent care providers.

“We want to provide patients with a safe, secure and simple way to receive non-emergency care,” said Dr. Reginald Eadie, president and CEO, Trinity Health Of New England and its affiliates. “The COVID-19 outbreak underscored the value of Virtual Care, which we plan to continue and potentially expand upon over time.”

Patients who wish to access Virtual Care can do so online at trinityhealthofne.org/virtual. All patient information is encrypted and protected. There are three options:

• Email: Patients complete an online health questionnaire 24/7 regarding their concern. A provider reviews the information and emails back a treatment plan. If a prescription is needed, the provider sends one to the patient’s designated pharmacy. Providers respond within an hour during regular office hours, or the next morning if the request is submitted after hours. If the issue can’t be addressed online, patients are not charged and can schedule an in-person appointment.
• Virtual Visit: Patients schedule a virtual visit with a provider at the Trinity Health Of New England location of their choice. A computer or smart device is needed, but no additional software is required. Patients receive a secure link to activate their visit and communicate in real time with the provider.
• COVID-19 Email: Patients who are concerned they may have coronavirus symptoms complete an online health interview and receive a response, within an hour during regular office hours, with guidance for next steps based on their answers.

“Virtual Care provides a convenient option for patients who may find it challenging to come in for an appointment, either because they are elderly, lack transportation, have a sick child, are at work or are trying to practice social distancing,” said Tom Burke, interim president, Saint Francis Hospital. “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to consult with their primary care provider, their child’s pediatrician or an urgent care provider—from wherever they are.”

Trinity Health Of New England’s Virtual Care provider hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. COVID-19 screenings are available free of charge; all other online visits are $30.

About Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center has been an anchor institution in north central Connecticut since 1897. In 2015, Saint Francis became part of Trinity Health Of New England, a member of Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, licensed for 617 beds, is a Level 1 Trauma Center, a major teaching hospital and the largest Catholic hospital in New England. Other Saint Francis entities include the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center, the Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute, the Curtis D. Robinson Center for Health Equity, the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute of Connecticut, the Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis, and Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @SaintFrancisCT

About Trinity Health Of New England
Trinity Health Of New England is an integrated nonprofit health care delivery system formed in 2015 and is a member of Trinity Health located in Livonia, Michigan, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation serving communities in 22 states. Trinity Health Of New England is comprised of Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut; Johnson Memorial Hospital and Home & Community Health Services in Stafford Springs, Connecticut; Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut; Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts; Providence Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke, Massachusetts; Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital, Springfield, Massachusetts; Brightside for Families and Children; and Mercy Continuing Care Network that includes Mercy Homecare, Mercy Hospice and Mercy LIFE. Visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org for more information and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @THOfNewEngland

This press release was produced by Trinity Health Of New England . The views expressed here are the author’s own.