HMH health care providers treat clinic patients by video
Technology designed to further protect patients amid COVID-19 crisis
ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (April 2, 2020) – Hardin Memorial Health Medical Group physicians and advanced practice clinicians have begun seeing their patients via video in order to promote social distancing and to encourage patients to stay healthy at home.
“Our HMH Medical Group team has been very innovative when it comes to caring for patients,” said Thomas Hustead, M.D., HMH Medical Group Medical Director. “These video visits are yet another way for our team to treat their own patients even more safely and in less time.”
Video visits allow patients to communicate directly with their HMH Medical Group physician or advanced practice clinician via a free, online platform on the patient’s computer or smartphone. Patients “dial in” to the scheduled video visit for an illness, routine appointment or surgical follow-up.
Clinics will reach out directly to patients with further instructions if an appointment is already scheduled. Patients interested in video visits and not an established patient should contact one of the HMH Medical Group offices.
“We are committed to keeping our patients healthy, and in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, keeping patients at home, a click away, is a good way to do just that,” said Douglas Ansert, M.D., HMH Medical Group Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.
In addition to the video visits, the HMH Medical Group created a Patient Symptom Hotline for patients experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath. Nurses will field questions and direct patients to the appropriate level of care. The hotline number is (270) 979-7777, open Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hotline nurses, local physicians and advanced practice clinicians can refer patients with symptoms to the HMH Medical Group’s a centralized respiratory clinic at 1004 Woodland Drive.
The temporary respiratory clinic, located at 1004 Woodland Drive, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The space has been specially outfitted as a “drive thru” for referred patients experiencing respiratory symptoms like fever, cough or shortness of breath. While isolated in their car, the patient will be registered, triaged, tested and seen by a physician or advanced practice clinician. In most cases, as of today, patients will be treated the same day as their referral.
“During this time, the HMH Medical Group must be nimble and creative regarding how we provide care to sick patients as well as to those patients who need more routine care,” said Hustead. “It is our hope that amid this crisis, we provide HMH caregiver’s usual high level of care while protecting our patients, staff and the community.”
Individuals, community groups and local businesses who want to support HMH caregivers and patients during the COVID-19 outbreak can make monetary donations online at ourhmh.org/online-donations.
Donors may also mail checks to HMH Foundation, 913 North Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. All donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, please seek reliable, up-to-date, information.
Recommended sources are:
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services – kycovid19.ky.gov or Public Hotline: 1- 800-722-5725
- Lincoln Trail District Health Department – ltdhd.org
- Hardin Memorial Health – hmh.net or Patient Symptom Hotline: (270) 979-7777
About HMH
HMH is an integrated system of providers and facilities serving approximately 400,000 residents in 10 Central Kentucky counties (Hardin, LaRue, Meade, Breckinridge, Grayson, Nelson, Hart, Bullitt, Green and Taylor). The 300-bed hospital in Elizabethtown, Kentucky includes 270 acute care, 15 psychiatric and 15 skilled nursing beds. Additionally, HMH includes 50+ outpatient facilities across the service area including a Cancer Care Center and Outpatient Surgical Center. There are over 445 physicians and advanced practice clinicians in over 40 specialties and primary care including Hospitalists available 24/7, Emergency and Urgent Care; Cancer, Cardiac, Rehab and Therapy Services; Medical and Surgical Services; Pulmonary Care, Diagnostic Imaging, Ear, Nose and Throat, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics including a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatrics. With 2,700 employees and an active volunteer corps of 140, Hardin Memorial Hospital is the third largest employer in Hardin County.
Media Contact
Megan Blaney, Heartland Communication Consultants (631) 431-3011 megan@heartlandcommunicate.com