Community Health Systems and American Well Collaborate on Telemedicine Initiative
Leading Hospital System Increasing Access and Convenience to Care through Virtual Physician Visits
Leading Hospital System Increasing Access and Convenience to Care through Virtual Physician Visits
BOSTON, Dec. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- American Well, a leading national telehealth services provider, and Community Health Systems (CHS), an operator of 198 affiliated hospitals in 29 states, are collaborating to offer virtual doctor visits to patients in communities served by CHS-affiliated hospitals. VirtualHealth Now®, operated on the American Well® telemedicine platform, offers patients a more convenient way to access primary urgent care services after hours and on weekends.
For years, CHS-affiliated hospitals have used telemedicine to provide specialty care to patients. This collaboration expands the organization's telemedicine capabilities to primary care. Patients will now be able to receive a primary care consultation from home, work or any other location they choose.
"For more than 30 years, our organization has been keeping healthcare close to home for our patients," said Lynn Simon, M.D., president of clinical services and chief quality officer for CHSPSC, LLC. "Healthcare consumers increasingly are seeking care that is easier to access and more convenient. In a highly connected and mobile world, it makes sense for us to leverage technology to deliver non-emergent care directly to patients in a manner they prefer."
The first CHS-affiliated hospitals to launch the service are AllianceHealth Oklahoma and Rockwood Health System in Spokane, Washington. Patients in those areas can consult with a physician via smartphone, computer or tablet 24 hours a day, seven days a week using www.virtualhealthnow.net.
In the coming months, the option to access care via virtual doctor visits will be expanded to additional markets in Arizona and Pennsylvania. VirtualHealth Now will be staffed by local community physicians, allowing patients to be treated in many cases by providers they know.
"We have always believed that supporting and nurturing the trust that exists between patients and their physicians is vital to quality care," said Danielle Russella, president, customer solutions, American Well. "Working alongside Community Health Systems we have a wonderful opportunity not only to deliver an innovative service, but extend care further into the community."
About American Well
American Well is transforming the way healthcare is delivered through telehealth. We make online doctor visits accessible to everyone for one-off care issues like colds or infections, and chronic condition management, such as diabetes or depression. We deliver healthcare into people's homes and workplaces through our work with top health plans, health systems and employers, as well as our telehealth app, Amwell. A patient using Amwell can be connected to a board-certified doctor of their choosing in just minutes for a visit carried out over smartphone, tablet, kiosk, phone, or desktop.
American Well and Amwell are registered trademarks of American Well Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. For more information on our services, visit www.americanwell.com. To download Amwell and have a doctor visit now, visit www.amwell.com.
Media Contacts:
Amanda Guisbond, American Well
[email protected]
617-204-3500 x. 3697
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SOURCE American Well
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