COVID-19 Checkup: TeleHealth at Pacific Central Coast Health Centers Connects Physicians and Patients Remotely

CENTRAL COAST, CA – April 10, 2020 – It’s been two weeks since Dignity Health’s Pacific Central Coast Health Centers began offering TeleHealth appointments for patients requiring remote access during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are video visits with a patient’s own physician or advanced practice provider using a phone, tablet, or a computer. 

“Our proactive efforts to connect to our patients during this shelter at home order has paid off tremendously with the TeleHealth program in place,” says Steven Goodman, MD. “Offering video visits as an alternative to office visits is comforting, and patients still receive face-to-face communication. TeleHealth allows us to continue our mission to provide our patients with excellent health care while also keeping everyone safe.”  

A Los Osos couple, available for interview, have had three video visits to date and were extremely impressed with the ease and thoroughness of the TeleHealth program. 

The benefits of Dignity Health’s TeleHealth Video Visits include:

• Remote clinical support using communications technology.
• Remotely connecting patients with their own personal physician (primary care or specialist) or advanced practice provider.
• Providing clinical care when it may not be safe for the patient to travel to an office location.
• Compatibility with various devices and types of technology.
• Improved health outcomes with greater access to care.

Pacific Central Coast Health Centers is a non-profit community clinic organization comprised of more than 40 health centers spanning from Lompoc to Templeton. Our experienced physicians and advanced practice providers offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services including five urgent care locations.

In addition to this recent advancement at such a critical time, Dignity Health Central Coast, which includes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, French Hospital Medical Center, and Marian Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Departments are available for the care of patients 24 hours a day, every day. If an individual is in distress or experiencing a health emergency, it is advised they visit the emergency department immediately. If individuals are not feeling well, they are advised to call their primary care physician or Dignity Health Urgent Care center directly, or use the Telehealth service to expedite care. Testing for COVID-19 will be facilitated if symptoms are present, including: 

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Body aches
• Nasal congestion

For more information about Pacific Central Coast Health Centers, visit: www.dignityhealth.org/phc. For information about access to Telehealth services, please call your Dignity Health primary care or specialist office for more information. If you do not have a primary care physician, you may call (805) 545-7000 for TeleHealth services. 

If any member of the media would like to interview a patient and physician who have used our TeleHealth Services, contact Sara San Juan at (805) 739-3574 .

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About Pacific Coast Health Centers
A service of Dignity Health, Pacific Central Coast Health Centers (PHC) is a non-profit Community clinic organization comprised of more than 40 health centers located primarily from Templeton to Oxnard. Our experienced physicians and advanced practice providers offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services. PHC is a part of Dignity Health Central Coast’s award-winning network of outstanding hospitals, urgent cares, imaging centers, laboratories, and post-acute services.

About Dignity Health Central Coast 
Dignity Health Central Coast is comprised of five award-winning hospitals, all recognized for their quality of care, safety and service, primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to provide additional funding to support new programs and services, as well as to advance the community’s access to health care.  For more information, visit dignityhealth.org/centralcoast.