It’s all about making it safe, easy and stress-free for people to see their healthcare providers in this COVID-governed world, and the folks at Hartford HealthCare’s Tallwood Urology & Kidney Institute have a method to do both.
At Tallwood’s Waterford location, Michael Spinnato of Mystic recently pulled into the parking lot a few minutes before a scheduled appointment with his urologist and waited in his vehicle. After just a moment, his phone rang and he was summoned inside.
The new process is called “contactless registration” and, through it, Lisa Hook, service line director of urology with the Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, said they hope to allay any fears patients may have about returning to the doctor’s office for care.
“It’s one safety measure we’ve put in place to protect our patients and employees. Contactless registration helps us decongest our exam and waiting rooms,” she said.
Normally, patients would come into a medical practice, check in with a receptionist and take a seat in a waiting area until the provider was ready to see them.
As a firefighter, Spinnato said he isn’t particularly nervous about going into most places, but admitted that if he saw a crowded waiting room in a doctor’s office, he would not take a seat.
“Things went just fine with the call. It was easy and I felt safe,” he said of the new procedure.
When they arrive at a Tallwood office, patients like Spinnato call a designated check-in number. Staff reviews the patient’s registration and insurance information, ensures the patient is wearing a mask and asks the patient to wait until the medical assistant calls them. When the exam room is ready and sanitized for them, the medical assistant will call the patient to go into the office.
When visits are over, patients do not need to check out. They can walk right out to their vehicle. Staff will call within one business day to schedule any tests or follow-up appointments.
Contactless registration is in place at Tallwood locations at MidState Urology and at offices in Glastonbury/Hartford, Farmington, Manchester, West Hartford, Norwich and Waterford.
For more information about Tallwood Urology & Kidney Institute, click here.
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