LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i Pacific Health COVID-19 Virtual Clinic offers convenient remote care for patients during the present pandemic by providing video and phone visits.
“To continue to care for our patients in the safest way possible, we have also instituted alternative options to in-person appointments,” said Dr. Amy Corliss of Wilcox Health, a part of the Hawai‘i Pacific Health in an email. “Telehealth options for our community include a virtual clinic, telephone and video visits, e-visits, and messaging through out online patient portal, MyChart by Hawai‘i Pacific Health.”
The Virtual Clinic, launched on March 31, addresses patients with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 who are well enough to be evaluated without physically seeing a doctor and others who have concerns about COVID-19 exposure. The Virtual Clinic is available to Hawai‘i Pacific Health patients and the general public.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has turned physicians into IT specialists and innovators, overnight,” Corliss said. “They are creatively using everything from the phone to Face Time to connect with, support, and treat their patients without the need for a traditional office visit.”
Patients with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 should reach out to their own primary care physician, or PCP, for treatment and guidance before contacting the Virtual Clinic. Patients without a PCP are encouraged to contact the Virtual Clinic directly.
The Virtual Clinic can be reached by calling (808) 462-5430 and pressing Option 2. The clinic, staffed with Hawai‘i Pacific Health physicians, advance practice providers, and registered nurses, is available daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. These hours are subject to change based on demand.
Patients to the virtual clinic will first speak to a registered nurse and, if deemed clinically appropriate, the clinic will offer video and phone visits with a provider, Corliss said.
The virtual team will recommend and facilitate pathways for care and order COVID-19 tests as needed.
Scheduled telephone and video visits are available through most physicians by calling their office.
“Patients can get comprehensive care with these options while complying with recommendations to limit person-to-person contact due to COVID-19,” Corliss said.
A telehealth visit is similar to an in-person appointment with a physician and allows patients to discuss their health concern from a location that’s most convenient for them.
For telephone visits, providers will call patients at an agreed upon time to discuss their health care needs. For video visits, patients are able to use their smartphone, tablet, or computer to access a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform to see and speak with a doctor.
Corliss suggested the following recommendations for patients preparing for an appointment: Prepare a list of topics they would like to discuss with their doctor,
Ensure their device is plugged in, or fully charged,
Find a quiet place for your appointment. Headphones are recommended for those who are hearing impaired,
Have your clinic’s phone number on hand in the event of technical issues, or are disconnected during the appointment,
For video visits, please find a space that is well lit and position your camera at eye level so the doctor can see and engage with you.
Other telehealth options at Hawai‘i Pacific Health include E-Visits and MyChart for non-emergency conditions. This allows patients to securely send a message to their physician and receive diagnoses and treatment plans.
“By logging into MyChart, selecting a condition and answering a series of questions, patients can receive care from the comfort of home, or any other location with Internet access,” Corliss said. “All E-Visit communication occurs via secure messages through MyChart.”
Some of the common medical conditions available through E-Visits include:
• Coronavirus Screening
• Cough
• Back Pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Sinus Problems
• Urinary Problems
• Rash
“Telemedicine visits with most physicians are available through a variety of applications, including Doxy.me, Apple Face Time, Skype, Google Hangouts video, Facebook Messenger video chat, and MyChart,” Corliss said. “By utilizing phone, email, and other electronic healthcare encounters, patients are able to still get the care they need, and we are able to preserve our resources at Wilcox Medical Center for critical care and ensure the health and safety of our care providers and patients.”
