St. Vincent’s Medical Center Launches MYvirtualcare.com Telemedicine Service
June 9, 2016
BRIDGEPORT, CT–St. Vincent's Medical Center, a member of Ascension, the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world's largest Catholic health system, is making it easier for patients to receive care for common health conditions with the launch of MYvirtualcare.com – an online diagnosis and treatment service powered by Zipnosis that connects patients with St. Vincent's clinicians. With MYvirtualcare.com patients can now receive prompt care for conditions such as sinus infections, female bladder infections, pink eye, or colds, coughs, and the flu – for a set fee of $35, less than the cost of many insurance co-pays.
"With MYvirtualcare.com, patients can skip the trip to the doctor's office and still get the care they need, when and how they need it," said Dianne Auger, Senior Vice president, Chief Strategy Officer, St. Vincent's Medical Center. "We are excited to be at the leading edge of this new technology, which is taking healthcare beyond bricks and mortar and into the virtual realm."
Patients begin a virtual visit at MYvirtualcare.com by completing an online adaptive interview that adheres to the latest evidence-based medical guidelines and is similar to what they would experience in a face-to-face visit. The patient's medical history and symptoms are then forwarded to a St. Vincent's provider for review and diagnosis. When the diagnosis and treatment plan are complete, typically within one hour, the patient receives a text or email alert. If a prescription is appropriate, MYvirtualcare.com allows the provider to send the prescription electronically to the pharmacy of the patient's choice. If the clinician determines that the patient's symptoms require a face-to-face visit, St. Vincent's staff will help the patient to book that appointment, as well.
St. Vincent's clinicians are available for virtual diagnosis seven days a week from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm. Patients may access MYvirtualcare.com 24/7 via computer, smartphone or other Web-enabled device, and off-hour visits will be reviewed and followed up on within one hour of opening the next day.
"At St. Vincent's, we are keenly aware of the fact that healthcare delivery must address multi-generational needs. MYvirtualcare.com has proven to be a welcome alternative for patients," explained Frank Scifo, MD, medical director, St. Vincent's MultiSpecialty Group. "Not only have patients found it convenient and easy to navigate, they appreciate the relatively low cost for this care. It has enhanced both the patient and provider experience because care is available when physician offices or convenient care sites are closed or may not be easily accessible."
The virtual care platform was developed by Zipnosis – a Minnesota-based company that partners with health care systems to provide the technology and methodology to launch a service, meeting the needs of patients while also enhancing their internal processes.
"By launching MYvirtualcare.com, St. Vincent's is improving clinical care one click at a time by making it easy for patients and healthcare providers to connect online without sacrificing quality," said Jon Pearce, co-founder and CEO of Zipnosis. "We look forward to working with St. Vincent's to meet the ever-changing needs of their patients and clinicians."