Oswego Health | Inside Healthcare | Covid-19

Benefits of telemedicine in a pandemic Telemedicine was making inroads before COVID-19 as a handy way for people to visit with a medical provider. But with the arrival of the pandemic and social distancing, the virtual office visit is gaining even more fans. Telemedicine is using your computer, phone or other mobile device to have a medical visit with your provider. Benefits include: • Not having to travel to a distant office • Less contact with other people—that’s particularly helpful in the age of COVID-19 • The possibility of seeing a faraway medical specialist Telemedicine can provide people in both cities and rural areas with access to safe and effective care when and where they need it. OUR RESPONSE to COVID-19 March 2: The Manor at Seneca Hill was an early adopter of visitor restrictions to protect residents and staff, even before the governor officially issued restrictions. Starting the week of March 2, no visitors were allowed into the facility. March 14: Visitation is suspended to Oswego Hospital, Fulton and Central Square Urgent Care Centers, Springside at Seneca Hill, and all Medical Offices throughout Oswego County, except when the visitor is essential to the care of the patient or for family members or legal representation of patients in imminent end-of-life situations. Any visitor meeting these exceptions will be screened according to the NYSDOH Order. March 18: A mobile testing site was operationalized outside of Oswego Hospital on West 7th Street as a proactive measure to provide the community with a safe environment for quick COVID-19 testing. March 22: All patients and employees are safely screened for symptoms prior to entering all health system locations. Across the entire healthcare system—including the three Oswego Health primary care practices and all specialty services—patients can now consider telemedicine options. With the use of telemedicine, patients can communicate with their provider through secure video chats. Patients can expect a phone call from the staff to ensure that they are ready for the call. The provider then establishes a video link via secure technology that allows real-time two-way communication. We also collaborated with all skilled nursing facilities in the county and offered fit-testing of N95 masks to their staff. ONGOING MEASURES