The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated UNMC and Nebraska Medicine’s efforts to reach patients virtually. The patient experience survey results show they have responded positively to these efforts.
The med center now is expanding its options for patients who are experiencing an acute condition without requiring them to come to a clinic. It’s part of the new Virtual Care Clinic, which now incorporates both On-Demand Video Visits and E-visits. These services are available to any established patient who has a One Chart | Patient account and can be accessed through the One Chart | Patient desktop portal or the Nebraska Medicine app.
“These new services are providing our patients with convenient, efficient and sometimes significantly cheaper alternatives to care,” said Jason Patera, MD, medical director of Ambulatory Informatics, Immediate Care Clinics and Elkhorn and Eagle Run health centers. “We are now able to meet the needs of our patients in new and highly demanded ways.”
Ashley Barajas, nurse practitioner, is the primary provider for the Virtual Care Clinic, with a second provider joining this summer.
“The addition of a second provider will allow us to market the clinic to the general public, but we are informing you now of this excellent service because we want you to be able to take advantage of it first,” Dr. Patera said.
E-Visits
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E-Visits are a convenient, less expensive way to receive care. An E-Visit is an online series of questions that are sent to a provider for review. An E-visit can be submitted at any time of day and the response is within 24 to 48 hours, but typically the same day. This type of visit is available for the following conditions:
- Back pain or strain
- COVID-19 screening
- Painful urination
- Pink eye
- Yeast infection
- Vaginal discharge/irritation
- Skin conditions (acne, eczema, rash, other) — evaluated by the dermatology department
To launch an E-Visit, choose “E-Visit” from your drop-down menu in One Chart | Patient.
Then select your reason for the E-Visit. A provider in the Virtual Care Clinic will review the request during business hours, Monday through Friday. They usually respond within one business day. Detailed instructions are available here.
Learn how to download the Nebraska Medicine app.
On-Demand Video Visits
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Nebraska Medicine first trialed On-Demand Video Visits as part of the care offered at its Immediate Care Clinics. On-Demand Video Visits can address acute care needs. If you have question about what symptoms can be seen please refer to this guide.
To launch an On-Demand Video Visit, choose “On-Demand Video Visit” from the drop-down menu in One Chart | Patient.
After a quick online e-check-in, a provider will join the video session as soon as possible, usually within 10 minutes.
On-Demand Video Visits are offered Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; weekends 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., holidays 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Medical Communications Center is now offering Virtual Care Clinic services to patients who have an acute need to be seen, but an appointment is not available with their primary care provider or within the provider’s care team.