At Neighborhood Healthcare, we are prepared to handle any infectious diseases that may be in the community. Patients can feel confident that we will put their health and safety first. One of the ways we are doing this is through options for telehealth and in-person appointments. Telehealth has emerged as an effective and sustainable solution for precaution, prevention, and treatment to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Take a look at our guide to using Telehealth during this global pandemic and how it will allow patients to schedule virtual doctor’s appointments and get their prescriptions refilled with minimized risks.
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth has been defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, health-related education, and public health administration. These technologies might include the use of the telephonic or video visits.
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with the healthcare system, but telemedicine has stepped up to help healthcare provider organizations better respond to the needs of their patients who have either contracted the virus or would like to avoid putting themself at risk. With this technology, patients have the ability to consult with their doctors about the severity of their symptoms related to the virus before going to the emergency room. Non-infected patients can also consult with their healthcare providers about general healthcare concerns from the safety of their own homes.
Schedule Virtual Doctors Appointments & Get Prescription Refills
Telehealth is useful for those needing to schedule appointments or get prescription refills during the COVID-19 crisis. Our providers will continue to provide preventative care, routine care, prescription refills, and urgent or time-sensitive care. Patients might be offered a video telehealth visit or a phone consult for routine, follow-up care.
What to Do if You Experience Symptoms or Have Had Contact with an Infected Person
In the event that a person is experiencing symptoms, has had contact with a person with COVID-19, or recently traveled, they should call before going in to see their healthcare provider. Neighborhood Healthcare will connect you with a nurse that can help evaluate your risk and
symptoms. This allows us to schedule appropriately while protecting you, your families, other patients, and employees.
Patients diagnosed with the infection have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with common symptoms including:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Info for Patients with Previously Scheduled Appointments
If you already had a scheduled appointment with your healthcare provider prior to COVID-19, it is important that you call before your visit to determine if the appointment can be handled by phone.
How We are Working to Prevent Exposure and the Spread of COVID-19
For 50 years Neighborhood has been on the front lines of health care. We serve thousands of medical, dental, and behavioral health visits annually and are dedicated to serving patients regardless of their situation or circumstance. Despite the difficulties created by COVID-19, we are working to ensure our patients remain healthy and taken care of. One way we are taking proactive steps to prevent exposure and the spread of the virus is through Telehealth services, but we are also prescreening patients outside of our clinics and following CDC guidelines and recommendations for testing procedures and social distancing. We will continue to see emergency dental patients at our Escondido Date dental location. Take a look at our list for patients of things you need to know about COVID-19.
Call 833-867-4642 to schedule an appointment, find a doctor online, and existing patients can schedule using our patient portal. Our team can help with any additional questions or concerns surrounding healthcare for you and your family during these uncertain times.