MINNEAPOLIS and WOODBURY, N.J., Oct.
18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspira Health Network, one of
southern New Jersey's leading
healthcare providers offering primary, acute and advanced care
services, is making it convenient and cost-effective for patients
to receive care for common health conditions with the launch of
Inspira eCare. This online diagnosis and treatment service
virtually connects patients with Inspira clinicians.
Inspira eCare is powered by Zipnosis, the first virtual care
company enabling leading health systems to launch virtual care
service lines staffed by their own clinicians. Using evidence-based
online adaptive interviews from their smartphones, tablets or
computers, patients can be virtually treated for more than a dozen
common medical conditions, including upper respiratory infection
(cold, flu, sinus infection, cough, etc.), female bladder
infection, conjunctivitis (pink eye), yeast infection, cold or
canker sores, eczema, tinea, acne, motion sickness prevention,
heartburn or gastroesophageal acid reflux (GERD), minor burns and
tobacco cessation.
Inspira's move into virtual healthcare is a natural progression
of its focus on innovation, technology and patient experience. The
health system selected the Zipnosis virtual care platform after two
years of focused research.
"We liked the idea of using our own providers in an innovative
way that delivers both continuity of care and a competitive
advantage," said Evelyn Balogun, MD,
MPH, FACOEM, Medical Director of Urgent Care at Inspira Health
Network. "Inspira has been implementing a number of new digital
technologies for our patients, including a completely responsive
website and a suite of mobile apps. Virtual healthcare is yet
another way we can enhance patients' digital experience and give
them another access point to our health system."
Jon Pearce, CEO of Zipnosis,
commented: "We are thrilled to welcome Inspira Health Network as
our newest partner and look forward to supporting them in their
mission of providing quality health services that improve the lives
of all they serve in southern New
Jersey."
Leveraging the advantages of adaptive online interview
technology
Inspira's leadership chose Zipnosis in large part
because of the platform's online adaptive patient interview and
"store and forward" technology that leverages national best
practice, evidence-based provider pathways.
Available anywhere and anytime, the virtual care platform allows
patients to use their smartphones, tablets or computers to complete
a short online interview that adapts intuitively based on how
patients answer the questions. A physician employed by Inspira
Health Network then reviews the interview results and provides the
diagnosis and treatment plan. If needed, the evidence-based online
adaptive interview can be supplemented with a video visit (for
example, if the patient might have pink eye and the provider needs
a visual confirmation). For existing Inspira Urgent Care and
Inspira Medical Group patients, the provider can electronically
send a prescription to the patient's pharmacy of choice, if
appropriate.
Access to care patients need, when they need it
Inspira comprises three hospitals, several multi-specialty health
centers, a cancer center and urgent care services, totaling more
than 100 access points staffed by 1,100 physicians and other
healthcare providers. Recently, the health network opened its sixth
urgent care center, with plans to open four more by next year.
"Our urgent care centers offer expanded hours and convenient
service, which has been a major focus for us when it comes to
patient access," Balogun said. "The Zipnosis virtual health
platform is an extension of that, enabling us to provide patients
with the care they need, when they need it—in their own homes."
Inspira's virtual care services are supported by clinicians
within the network who deliver primary care and urgent care
services. The Zipnosis virtual care platform allows Inspira to
leverage excess clinical capacity in between in-person
appointments. Diagnoses are guaranteed within an hour.
Zipnosis platform enables care continuity
Continuity
of care is a major focus within Inspira Health Network, so leaders
knew their virtual health technology needed to support that
goal.
"All of our practices are connected with the same EHR platform
so that patient information is well integrated and can easily be
shared across the system," Balogun said. "Our continuity of care in
the digital space mirrors that. The quality and continuity of care
delivered by the Zipnosis platform is the same as that provided by
a patient's primary care physician in a brick-and-mortar
location."
Balogun added: "The Zipnosis platform enables us to remove
barriers to care and strengthen Inspira's connection with patients
in the community."
ABOUT ZIPNOSIS
Zipnosis partners with health systems
nationwide to provide a white-labeled telemedicine virtual care
platform, offering patients convenient access to care while
improving clinician efficiency. Patients can be virtually treated
for more than 90 conditions using evidence-based adaptive
interviews, phone or video, or when a rapid test like strep is
needed, directed to visit a clinic with expedited service using the
ZipTicket® boarding pass. Based in Minnesota, Zipnosis has more than seven years'
experience and data to help partners rapidly launch and scale a
market-leading virtual care solution. For more information, visit
www.zipnosis.com.
ABOUT INSPIRA HEALTH NETWORK
Inspira Health Network is
a charitable nonprofit healthcare organization serving communities
across southern New Jersey. The
network, which traces its roots to 1899, comprises three hospitals,
a comprehensive cancer center, several multi-specialty health
centers and a total of more than 100 locations. These include
urgent care; outpatient imaging and rehabilitation; numerous
specialty centers, including sleep medicine, cardiac testing,
digestive health and wound care; hospice and home care; and more
than 30 primary and specialty physician practices. With a medical
staff of more than 1,100 physicians and other healthcare providers,
Inspira provides evidence-based care to help each patient achieve
the best possible outcome. For more information, visit
www.inspirahealthnetwork.org.
Media Contacts:
Joy
DiNaro
Amendola Communications for Zipnosis
847-809-0406
jdinaro@acmarketingpr.com
Diana Gervasi
Manager of Marketing Communications, Inspira Health Network
856-575-4228
gervasid@ihn.org
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SOURCE Zipnosis