Urgent care without leaving the house
Hospitals emphasize virtual visits are for pressing issues that don’t require an emergency room
Hamilton residents can now get help virtually at home instead of going to an urgent care centre.
It comes at the same time that virtual care is also being made available to those with confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“Many people are apprehensive about leaving their home during the pandemic,” Dr. Greg Rutledge, chief of emergency medicine at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, said in a statement. “We’re offering a way for the community to receive excellent care, but from the comfort of home.”
Hamilton’s hospitals emphasize that virtual urgent care does not replace in-person emergency room visits. It is for pressing issues that are less serious and don’t require an emergency room.
During the virtual appointment, patients speak remotely to a doctor who will assess the issue and determine next steps.
They could be diagnosed and prescribed treatment. Although, virtual urgent care doctors can’t do regular refills of a medication already prescribed.
The doctor may also refer the patient to another health-care provider or send them to the emergency department in person.
The program is paid for by the province as it looks to enhance virtual care during the pandemic.
St. Joseph’s will provide virtual urgent care to adults, while London Health Sciences Centre will treat children and youth. The virtual care will be available daily from noon to 8 p.m.
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) will focus on residents of long-term-care homes in Hamilton and north west Niagara daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“As providers, we’re really enthusiastic about this program,” Dr. Michelle Welsford, emergency medicine physician at HHS, said in a statement. “The shared knowledge and expertise of the emergency department physician and the entire hospital, along with the longterm-care staff who know the residents best, is invaluable.”
“COVID Care @ Home” delivered by St. Joseph’s provides access to virtual and in-person care, including a number to call 24-7. COVID patients are assigned a personalized team that guides and follows them from diagnosis to recovery.
It can be used by patients in their own homes or in congregate living such as retirement homes, shelters and hospices.
It includes help navigating the system, accessing home care, connecting to community and social supports, one electronic health record and help with infection prevention and control.