Intouch with Health has fast-tracked an update to its Mobile Appointment Manager app to help hospitals minimise the number of outpatients sitting in waiting rooms during the COVID-19 epidemic.
The update will mean trusts can encourage outpatients to chec in for their appointment remotely at a location close to the hospital building they are visiting using their phone or tablet, without having to physically enter the site.
Kevin Fletcher, chief operational officer at Intouch with Health, said: “As an example, hospitals may want to encourage outpatients to check in remotely in their car when they arrive.
“Patients are then only called to make their way to the clinic waiting room via the mobile app when the patient before them goes in to see the clinician, thus reducing the overall amount of time they spend in the building and further supports social distancing.”
He added: “We have prioritised fast-tracking the development of remote check-in so we can support the NHS as much as possible to effectively manage patient flow while facing the pressures of the coronavirus.
“Solutions such as remote check-in for outpatients ensure secondary care settings can make adjustments that can help rapidly reduce the number of face-to-face appointments to help slow the spread of the virus.
“Patients no longer need to physically enter the hospital to check in or be called for their appointment, meaning they avoid waiting areas for as long as possible and the volume of people in outpatients can be kept to a minimum.”
Once a hospital has launched the Intouch Mobile app, patients can download the app onto their smartphones or tablets from the App Store or Google Play in order to use the feature.
