Prisma Health expands telehealth services for minor conditions

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Prisma Health recently expanded on-demand video visits for minor conditions with its providers to 24 hours a day.

The extended service offering reflects an acceleration in virtual care offerings that have proven vital in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the leader in emergency medicine in South Carolina and the state's largest health care system, which includes Sumter's Tuomey Hospital, Prisma Health's 24/7 on-demand video visits are a natural extension and progression in caring for patients by meeting them where they are.

"Prisma Health has been accelerating the availability of our virtual services throughout the past year, and we are pleased to make this 24-hour capability available to patients looking for real-time care in the Midlands," said Dr. Matthew Bitner, chair of emergency medicine at Prisma Health in the Upstate. "As many parts of our state continue to manage risks associated with COVID-19 cases, the virtual visits give patients increased access to our health care professionals, whether they are a COVID-19 patient recovering at home or have minor sickness or acute care needs."

This expanded service offers:

- Patients can access Prisma Health 24/7 virtually without having to go to an emergency department for minor conditions. While this does not replace the emergency department for major emergencies, the service is particularly valuable as the COVID-19 pandemic is still prevalent.

- If a patient is traveling, he or she can use this service to access a Prisma Health provider as opposed to going to a local urgent care that is outside the system and possibly out of network.

- Prisma Health providers are the ones running this service, which is unique to the Midlands. If additional care is needed, they can easily access different arms of Prisma Health from a knowledgeable member of the team.

"Patients are being seen by a health care professional that is living, practicing and caring for South Carolinians. They are the same health care professionals you would see at our emergency and urgent care facilities, and they can connect with patients on a different level," said Dr. Troy Privette, vice chair of Operations, Emergency Medicine, in the Midlands. "We're also creating a seamless transition to the many other services of Prisma Health for patients who need continued care."

Patients wishing to participate in an on-demand video visit can get access through their MyChart portal. The visits are available to all ages. This service is also available in the Upstate. Learn more at https://prismahealth.org/services/virtual-care.