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South Central Clinics are Now Offering Telehealth Services for Patients

Posted on April 8, 2020

South Central Regional Medical Center (SCRMC) has expanded care options during the international pandemic of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). In accordance with the recommendations from the Mississippi State Department of Health, the healthcare providers at South Central Clinics have made important changes to clinic operations to keep patients and staff safe. SCRMC is rapidly deploying new care capabilities to serve our communities and patients as safely and effectively as possible. South Central is now offering a new telehealth program for established and new patients of South Central Clinics to receive medical care from the safety of their home.

“A Telehealth visit will allow you to be seen by a provider in the safety of your home,” said W. Mark Horne, MD, Chief Medical Officer at SCRMC. “This program includes providers throughout South Central Clinics and serves as another way for our health system to reduce the potential for exposure of our patients and staff to COVID-19.”

 

South Central Regional Medical Center (SCRMC) will expand care during the international pandemic of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). In accordance with the recommendations from the Mississippi State Department of Health, the healthcare providers at South Central Clinics have made important changes to clinic operations to keep patients and staff safe. SCRMC is rapidly deploying new care capabilities to serve our communities and patients as safely and effectively as possible. South Central is now offering a new telehealth program for established and new patients of South Central Clinics to receive medical care from the safety of their home.

The South Central Telehealth program will be multi-layered. Patients who have acute symptoms — cold, flu, urinary tract infection, etc. — can call a participating clinic, and the patient will be given a date and time for an audio/visual or if needed, an audio only appointment with a healthcare provider. The provider will discuss symptoms, perform an appropriate screening and if needed, prescribe medicine. If referral is indicated, the patient will then be set up for a follow up appointment.

The telehealth appointments will feature the use of a variety of audio/video communication platforms. Dr. Horne stated, “In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the federal government and other insurance carriers have eased telehealth restrictions allowing the use of a variety of communication platforms. While South Central is studying how these changes will affect long term telehealth plans, for now it allows providers flexibility to communicate with patients on a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop using the platform most effective for the patient and provider.”

Medical conditions considered urgent by your provider may be seen in the clinic by appointment only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. South Central Urgent Care is open 7 days a week Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Patients who have a healthcare emergency should call 911. The South Central Emergency Department continues to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Dr. Horne stated, “The South Central Telehealth program is designed to assist our patients who feel that they may risk exposure to COVID-19 with an office visit, still receive appropriate medical care from the safety of their home.”

To ensure a successful visit, South Central Telehealth recommends that all who participate in a telehealth appointment to follow these tips:

  • Make sure you are in a private place.
  • Select a location with no background noise.
  • For pediatric telehealth visits, have your child present.
  • Have your medications available to review.

South Central Telehealth is open 5 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The following facilities are participating in the telehealth program:

  • Ellisville Medical Clinic – 601-477-8553
  • Ellisville OB-GYN Clinic – 601-477-2226
  • Ellisville Pediatric Clinic 601-477-3550
  • Laurel Family Clinic – 601-428-0577
  • South Central Behavioral Health Services – 601-426-9614
  • South Central Cardiology – 601-649-2863
  • South Central Dermatology – 601-425-4860
  • South Central Diabetes Center – 601-649-2863
  • South Central Family Medicine – 601-649-2863
  • South Central Gastroenterology – 601-649-2863
  • South Central General Surgery – 601-649-7802
  • South Central Internal Medicine – 601-649-2863
  • South Central Neurology – 601-649-2863
  • South Central Obstetrics & Gynecology – 601-649-5421 or 601-426-5125
  • South Central Orthopedics – 601-649-5990
  • South Central Pediatrics – 601-649-3520
  • South Central Sleep Center – 601-426-2886
  • South Central Urology – 601-428-0438

“If you have an illness or need to receive follow up care for a regularly scheduled appointment, South Central urges the community to call and schedule a telehealth appointment. These services will help us keep our patients, staff and community safe during this difficult time,” Dr. Horne said.

If you are having symptoms of Coronavirus, please call your clinic provider to seek guidance. Symptoms include: fever (typically over 100.4), cough and shortness of breath or tightness in the chest. For more information, visit scrmc.com or contact a participating South Central Clinics facility.

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