Apr 16, 2020 2 min read

Patients who have a medical issue – a severe case of poison ivy, for example – or are scheduled for a follow-up appointment can still see a doctor. But not  necessarily in the office.

Centerville Clinics now offers a telehealth option that enables healthcare providers to help patients using their telephones or secure video-chat service.

The telehealth option is available in all 14 Centerville Clinics locations.

Dr. Kyle Duff, who led the implementation and training program for telehealth, said the focus is on dealing with routine follow-up and certain urgent medical issues.

“This will keep healthy patients from spreading coronavirus, and at-risk patients out of harm’s way by reducing their contact with other patients and infectious surfaces,” said Duff. “The goal is to practice social distancing while meeting our patients’ needs.”

Patients who already have or want to make appointments at any of the Centerville locations can use telehealth to see their provider.

Patients who select the video-chat option will get step-by-step directions on how to log into the secure service.

A telephone call option is available for patients who don’t have access to a computer or internet service, and who are not comfortable with the video-chat option. 

Other patients who need an office visit will be counseled on how to navigate the office safely. Centerville Clinics’ standard includes single-use masks and waiting room chairs spaced six feet apart.

Centerville Clinics also continues to secreeen and test patients considered at-risk for coronavirus in respiratory clinics established at three locations: Uniontown Family Doctors, Washington Family Doctors and the Joseph A. Yablonski Memorial Clinic in Centerville. Those respiratory clinics have exam rooms specifically designed following CDC guidelines to keep patients and staff as safe as possible, using negative air flow and UVC light sanitation units.