Often called telemedicine, telehealth, or virtual care, the ability to assess and treat patients remotely is rapidly becoming a common care modality.

With the onset of COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines, ECMC rapidly developed the ECMC VirtualHealth Care Platform in the outpatient, emergency department, and inpatient settings, as it is critical that patients maintain communication for evaluation and guidance by their providers.

ECMC's virtual ER program allows patients to schedule on-demand virtual visits for appropriate medical conditions such as allergies, bronchitis, suspected COVID-19, cold and flu, cough, fever, sore throat, sinus infection, eye infection/irritation/rash, hives, upset stomach, and other minor ailments.

For those dealing with mental-health related issues, they can take advantage of ECMC Help Center, an urgent care service for walk-in mental health treatment of adults in crisis who do not require psychiatric emergency treatment or inpatient care.

Individualized services addressing each patient's needs are given with a focus on wellness to aid those experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts or behaviors, hallucinations, and hopelessness/helplessness.

Scheduling an ECMC Virtual ER or Virtual Help Center visit is as easy as selecting a time slot for your virtual visit through the portal at www.ecmc.edu. An ECMC representative will contact you to confirm your time slot and to collect additional information, after which you will be given instructors to connect to your virtual visit so that you can meet with your medical provider.

While you're on the ECMC website, why not schedule your COVID-19 vaccination? Vaccines remain readily available for all individuals 12 years of age or older, so book an appointment in the ECMC Vaccination Center today by clicking here. Walk-ins are also accepted most days Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

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