CareSouth Carolina: Telehealth is as easy as 1-2-3

CareSouth Carolina has seen more than 3,000 patients via telehealth visits in the past month as a way to promote social distancing and help fight the spread of COVID-19.

Telehealth is the distribution of health-related services and information through electronic devices. It allows long-distance patient and clinician contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth visits can help a patient limit their exposure to the virus while still getting their healthcare needs met. CareSouth Carolina is offering complete individual and family medical services. Behavioral health services are also available via telehealth.

“We’re able to still take care of the needs of our patients while limiting their exposure,” said Jeri Andrew, Director of Mobile Health and Off-Site Services. “We’re doing this as a service for our patients as a way for them to follow proper social distancing and still get their healthcare needs met.”

CareSouth Carolina is scheduling new and existing patients and a visit is as easy as ‘1-2-3.’

1. Call the Telehealth Triage Center

Call the CareSouth Carolina Telehealth Triage Center at 843-309-8102, which is staffed by RNs and LPNs. The nurse will set up an appointment and time- typically the same day- for you to meet with your primary care provider.

If for whatever reason your primary care provider can’t meet, CareSouth Carolina has a pool of providers who are also offering telehealth services and can meet with patients.

The nurses will give you any individual instructions and can answer questions you may have.

2. You’ll receive a message or email with a secured link

If you have a smart phone, you’ll receive a text message with a secured link when it’s time for your appointment.

At that point, all you’ll have to do is click the link and follow the prompts to enter the secured chat room.

If you don’t have a phone with internet access, the link can also be sent via email to be used on a laptop or tablet.

3. Meet with your provider remotely as you normally would.

Once you enter the secured chat room, you’ll be able to meet with your provider as part of a video visit.

Your provider can answer any questions you may have, diagnose and determine next steps all from the convenience of your own home.