MONROE - Clinic patients dealing with a cold or even an odd rash have the chance to ask primary caregivers about what is bothering them from the comfort of their computer with e-visits, a new electronic exchange of messages through the MyChart program.
Katie Marti, e-visit supervisor and implementation coach at Monroe Clinic, oversaw the initial testing of the program. Monroe Clinic began its pilot program by first opening up the opportunity for e-visits to its employees.
"We wanted to be able to expand access for patients," Marti said. "People who have been able to do it have enjoyed it."
E-visits encompass three areas of examination for workers at Monroe Clinic to evaluate. Primary care providers include doctors in the clinic as well as FastCare providers and others. In total, locally based providers can range from three to eight on any given day to take care of patients.
The technology is made up of a system of correspondence between provider and patient. People dealing with cold symptoms, rashes and urinary issues can fill out a form indicating their illness similar to the questionnaire patients complete when visiting a doctor. Once done, the form is submitted to a provider. Once a healthcare worker views the concerns, they can consult a patient on whether they should follow standard procedures, such as more fluids and rest with a cold, or if they need further evaluation. Marti said those suffering with rash problems can actually upload a photo for the provider to examine as well.
Each visit is done within Monroe Clinic's MyChart program, which assures no breach of privacy. It must be done through the use of a desktop computer. Each consultation has a cost of $35, which is made through the system via any debit or credit card bearing the brand Mastercard, Visa, Discover or American Express. If the patient ends up having to visit the clinic, they are not charged for the e-visit.
"It will be really beneficial to people," Marti said. "They will be able to get the attention that they need. They can really do this from anywhere."
Monroe Clinic Imaging Coach Amy Hollis found the e-visit service beneficial for the few months she used it as one of the employees to test out the new program. An e-visit was easy to fit into an average day.
"I tend to have consistent problems with sinuses," Hollis said. "They usually just warrant a phone call. This is very easy and convenient."
Hollis said she is a technologically adept person and the time to receive direction from a provider generally took 30 minutes. Monroe Clinic has a window of two hours as their goal, but Hollis said her diagnoses never took that long.
"I also felt I wouldn't be taking time away from other needy patients," Hollis said. "I've found the process to be very timely. You can step away and get your message after some time has passed."
She added that even in the event lab work needs to be done, a patient can just visit the local clinic to provide a sample without the wait time usually added on to an appointment.
Hours for e-visits extend past traditional clinic hours, Marti said. Patients can contact a provider during evenings and weekends as well as throughout the day. Scheduled hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Holiday hours will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the exception of Christmas Day.
Katie Marti, e-visit supervisor and implementation coach at Monroe Clinic, oversaw the initial testing of the program. Monroe Clinic began its pilot program by first opening up the opportunity for e-visits to its employees.
"We wanted to be able to expand access for patients," Marti said. "People who have been able to do it have enjoyed it."
E-visits encompass three areas of examination for workers at Monroe Clinic to evaluate. Primary care providers include doctors in the clinic as well as FastCare providers and others. In total, locally based providers can range from three to eight on any given day to take care of patients.
The technology is made up of a system of correspondence between provider and patient. People dealing with cold symptoms, rashes and urinary issues can fill out a form indicating their illness similar to the questionnaire patients complete when visiting a doctor. Once done, the form is submitted to a provider. Once a healthcare worker views the concerns, they can consult a patient on whether they should follow standard procedures, such as more fluids and rest with a cold, or if they need further evaluation. Marti said those suffering with rash problems can actually upload a photo for the provider to examine as well.
Each visit is done within Monroe Clinic's MyChart program, which assures no breach of privacy. It must be done through the use of a desktop computer. Each consultation has a cost of $35, which is made through the system via any debit or credit card bearing the brand Mastercard, Visa, Discover or American Express. If the patient ends up having to visit the clinic, they are not charged for the e-visit.
"It will be really beneficial to people," Marti said. "They will be able to get the attention that they need. They can really do this from anywhere."
Monroe Clinic Imaging Coach Amy Hollis found the e-visit service beneficial for the few months she used it as one of the employees to test out the new program. An e-visit was easy to fit into an average day.
"I tend to have consistent problems with sinuses," Hollis said. "They usually just warrant a phone call. This is very easy and convenient."
Hollis said she is a technologically adept person and the time to receive direction from a provider generally took 30 minutes. Monroe Clinic has a window of two hours as their goal, but Hollis said her diagnoses never took that long.
"I also felt I wouldn't be taking time away from other needy patients," Hollis said. "I've found the process to be very timely. You can step away and get your message after some time has passed."
She added that even in the event lab work needs to be done, a patient can just visit the local clinic to provide a sample without the wait time usually added on to an appointment.
Hours for e-visits extend past traditional clinic hours, Marti said. Patients can contact a provider during evenings and weekends as well as throughout the day. Scheduled hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Holiday hours will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the exception of Christmas Day.