Prisma Health adds 24/7 On Demand Video Visits for many urgent care needs

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Prisma Health now offers virtual urgent-care visits, on demand 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Treatable illnesses range from suspected sprain and minor head injuries to minor burns and cuts, dizziness, fever, vomiting and diarrhea – all from the comfort of the patient’s own password-protected MyChart portal.

“On Demand Video Visits allow us to offer patients increased access to real-time care regardless of the other competing factors in their lives,” said Matthew Bitner, MD, chair of emergency medicine at Prisma Health in the Upstate. “This does not replace the on-going need for critical care in our emergency departments, but it’s a timely option for those who need minor care delivered in a way that’s most convenient for them. Patients can rest assured that they will receive the same level of care as for an in-person visit, including being seen and treated by a Prisma Health provider,” said Bitner.

Virtual urgent care can be a particularly welcome option for patients who may hesitate to seek onsite health care during the coronavirus pandemic, said Bitner. “Delayed care can frequently result in worsened outcomes. We urge everyone to seek the care when the need is identified – whether in person or virtually,” he said.

This service is now available in the Upstate and will soon expand to the Midlands.

More about On Demand Video Visits:

• Treatable illnesses include minor musculoskeletal complaints (like sprains and strains); upper respiratory complaints (like sinus pain, sore throat, congestion); gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and minor trauma (cuts, scrapes, minor burns).
• For major illnesses – including chest pain, suspected heart issues, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing – immediately call 9-1-1 for care.
• Patients are evaluated and treated online by Prisma Health physicians, the same ones you might see if you visited our urgent care centers or emergency departments.
• Traveling patients can use On Demand Video Visits as opposed to going to an out-of-area urgent care that may be out of their insurance network.
• Patients needing continued care or more specialized care can be seamlessly transitioned to specialty-care providers at Prisma Health who can see all the records from the virtual visit even the patient arrives.

Learn more at PrismaHealth.org/VirtualCare.

The expanded service reflects Prisma Health’s continued commitment to enhancing the patient experience, as well as an acceleration of its virtual care offerings throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, said Bitner.

Prisma Health is the leader in emergency medical care in South Carolina, with nearly half of all emergency department visits in South Carolina being treated at a Prisma Health facility.

About Prisma Health

Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health company and the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 hospitals, 2,947 beds and more than 300 outpatient sites with nearly 2,000 physicians, Prisma Health serves more than 1.2 million unique patients annually in its 21-county market area that covers 50% of South Carolina. Prisma Health’s goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals.