In the past five days, Bassett Healthcare Network practitioners have completed more than 1,000 telemedicine visits with patients. By next week, nearly all Bassett Healthcare providers will have the ability to complete a patient appointment via a video or phone visit as Bassett fast-tracks the expansion of its telemedicine program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To take full advantage of Bassett’s telemedicine capabilities, patients need to be enrolled in MyBassett Health Connection, the network’s secure online patient portal. An enrollment hotline (607-547-5900 or toll-free, 877-498-5715) has been established for this purpose.

“The expansion of telemedicine has been a major focus for the network over the last 18 months, which gave us a leg up when COVID-19 hit,” explains Network Chief Clinical Officer Steven Heneghan, MD. “We were methodically rolling out virtual visits in the outpatient and inpatient setting before the coronavirus outbreak, but quickly recognized the need to rapidly ramp up our capabilities. This protects our patients and communities from the spread of the virus, as well as the health care workforce, while also assuring patients get the care they need.”

Heneghan says the network is handling the normal volume of patient visits through a combination of in-person and video and phone visits when appropriate. However, more visits could be completed with patients in their own homes if the patient is enrolled in MyBassett.

MyBassett the ticket to telemedicine visits

Bassett patients needing a primary care or specialty care appointment can request a video or phone appointment; the easiest way to do so is by using the MyBassett patient portal. For patients who aren’t enrolled, the hotline will allow patients to immediately activate a MyBassett account – 607-547-5900 or toll-free, 877-498-5715. MyBassett provides a way for patients to communicate electronically and securely with their medical care team.

“Meeting the health care needs of a rural population spread over eight counties has required innovative solutions and now, in the midst of a pandemic, that need is greater than ever,” says Network Chief Medical Information Officer, Scott Cohen, MD. Over the past few weeks, Cohen has completed over 20 a primary care video visits with patients in their own homes from his Norwich office.

“Patients are so appreciative. I had one young mother with an asthmatic child who was concerned that some of the child’s symptoms might be related to the new coronavirus,” recalls Cohen. “I was able, through the quality of the video visit, to determine the child was fine and would be better managed at home. The parent was so relieved, and I felt good knowing we were able to prevent possible exposure by having to leave home to travel to an appointment.”

Cohen explains that video visit technology is incorporated into the MyBassett platform to enable practitioners and their patients to easily connect for a medical appointment.

“In-person visits are still necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of certain medical conditions, but there are many instances where a video or phone visit will allow a practitioner to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment,” says Cohen.

What is MyBassett Health Connection?

MyBassett offers patients personalized and secure on-line access to portions of their medical records. It enables patients to securely use the Internet to help manage and receive information about their health. With MyBassett Health Connection, patients can use the Internet to:
· Request medical appointments (including video or phone visits as appropriate).
· View test results.
· Request prescription renewals.
· Communicate electronically and securely with their medical care team.
· View their health summary from the MyBassett Health Connection electronic health record.

Not yet enrolled in MyBassett? Call today.

An enrollment hotline has been established for patients who haven’t yet activated their MyBassett account. Call 607-547-5900 or toll-free, 877-498-5715 to immediately gain access to the on-line MyBassett patient portal in order to be able to conveniently schedule appointments, ask questions of your medical team, renew prescriptions, see test results and more.

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