Sentara launches on-demand virtual care service with minimal wait times
Patients can get in line to see an available provider virtually, without having an appointment, expanding access to care
Sentara Health has launched Virtual Express Care, a new, on-demand service that offers video visits to address simple concerns by a team of virtual care providers with minimal wait times.
Sentara's Virtual Express Care provides the opportunity for patients to get in line to see the next available provider. With less than a 30-minute average wait, patients have access to this program from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Patients can get in line for a visit via the Sentara MyChart App by selecting “Menu” and “Virtual Express Care”.
Regular virtual care appointments are also available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday and can be scheduled via the Find Care tab at sentara.com or via MyChart.
“There is a huge need,” said Dr. Mark Haggerty, director of medical operations for Sentara Telehealth Services and Digital Solutions. “We are seeing more and more people seek the virtual option organically and be comfortable using this to bridge refills, to get access for an acute illness, a referral, or a note for work.”
Sentara virtual care usage has grown by more than 300% post-pandemic and Sentara is responding by increasing services. The launch of Sentara Virtual Express Care reflects our mission to improve health every day, and our commitment to making health care more simple, seamless, personal, and affordable.
Eliminating barriers to care is vital to Sentara. Transportation is an issue for some people and telehealth removes that obstacle. As we move into the season of flu and upper respiratory infections, ensuring our community knows they have easy access to providers is important.
Sentara launched virtual care services in 2017 and expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now, providers see an average of 180 patients each day and demand continues to increase, hence, the expansion of virtual care appointments to 12-hours per day, seven days a week last year and the launch of Virtual Express Care this year. The next step is to offer Virtual Express Care around the clock.
Sentara’s patient satisfaction with virtual appointments boasts a near 5-star rating. Visits are often viewed by patients as equivalent to in-person encounters, and they can be done from a patient’s home or office.
Sentara's Virtual Express Care provides the opportunity for patients to get in line to see the next available provider. With less than a 30-minute average wait, patients have access to this program from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Patients can get in line for a visit via the Sentara MyChart App by selecting “Menu” and “Virtual Express Care”.
Regular virtual care appointments are also available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday and can be scheduled via the Find Care tab at sentara.com or via MyChart.
“There is a huge need,” said Dr. Mark Haggerty, director of medical operations for Sentara Telehealth Services and Digital Solutions. “We are seeing more and more people seek the virtual option organically and be comfortable using this to bridge refills, to get access for an acute illness, a referral, or a note for work.”
Sentara virtual care usage has grown by more than 300% post-pandemic and Sentara is responding by increasing services. The launch of Sentara Virtual Express Care reflects our mission to improve health every day, and our commitment to making health care more simple, seamless, personal, and affordable.
Eliminating barriers to care is vital to Sentara. Transportation is an issue for some people and telehealth removes that obstacle. As we move into the season of flu and upper respiratory infections, ensuring our community knows they have easy access to providers is important.
Sentara launched virtual care services in 2017 and expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now, providers see an average of 180 patients each day and demand continues to increase, hence, the expansion of virtual care appointments to 12-hours per day, seven days a week last year and the launch of Virtual Express Care this year. The next step is to offer Virtual Express Care around the clock.
Sentara’s patient satisfaction with virtual appointments boasts a near 5-star rating. Visits are often viewed by patients as equivalent to in-person encounters, and they can be done from a patient’s home or office.
By: Jennifer Lewis