Like health care organizations across the country, on-site employee health clinics have taken measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic to help mitigate spread while still helping patients manage their health. Cerner, which operates shared-site health network Anuva Health, had to quickly switch its strategy in how it delivers care to the 3,500 eligible patients it serves, moving from in-person care at its Malvern and West Chester locations to a virtual strategy.

Responding to COVID-19

To accommodate stay-at-home orders, the Anuva Health staff took immediate actions to transition scheduled in-person appointments to virtual, delivering care through video and phone. Through these virtual channels, the care team was able to continue providing primary care, routine physicals, chronic condition management, and behavior health services to patients.

Further, the Anuva Health pharmacy team took steps to outreach to its patients who had upcoming prescription refills scheduled, offering curbside pick-up for both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Care delivery during the COVID-19 recovery phase

After 14 weeks of virtual-only appointments, the Anuva Health physical locations reopened with some adjustments to help minimize COVID-19 exposure. Appointments are now limited to non-contagious health care needs, like routine physicals and chronic condition management appointments. In-person visits are limited to one person at a time. All staff are equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE), and patients are screened in advance of their appointment to determine if they are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms before entering the health center.

As normal protocol, the care team takes cleaning measures, such as disinfecting in between patients, wiping down waiting room surfaces, and nightly deep cleaning. The Anuva Health team has also installed plexiglass barriers at the pharmacy and check-in areas as additional protection for the patients and the staff during the check-in and pick-up process. While more on-site visits have been reestablished, virtual continues to be a key channel of care delivery with Anuva Health.

Reimagining care delivery

The pandemic has paved the way for health care organizations to rethink how they will deliver care going forward, and Anuva Health is no different. In fact, the care team has realized benefits in delivering care virtually. For example, says its behavioral health specialist Emilie Bobrow, “To my surprise, going virtual has actually helped some of my patients open up more with their concerns. They feel more comfortable being in their own homes for the sessions.”

It has also been beneficial in its patients’ abilities to more easily access their health information the care team on-site doesn’t necessarily have.

“We had a patient who was able to pull her lab results from four years ago from another provider because she was at home,” said nurse practitioner Ariella Jolly. “Both the care team and patients have transitioned to this virtual world overnight, and it’s really helped both parties in feeling more comfortable in moving to this new care delivery model.”

About Anuva Health

Anuva Health by Cerner is a comprehensive, near-site health network aimed at providing a convenient, connected health care experience by offering in-person services and virtual-health services to employees and their dependents. With a near-site health network, the investment and benefits are shared among a group of employers. Click here to learn more about Anuva Health or contact workforcehealth@cerner.com.

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