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Note to readers: Perry Memorial Hospital issued the following news release Friday.
PRINCETON — As Perry Memorial Hospital and the City of Princeton continue the due diligence process with OSF HealthCare to determine whether a transfer of ownership of the hospital will occur, learning and exchanging information about clinical care models is occurring along the way.
OSF HealthCare is known for its digital health capabilities where advanced videoconferencing technology is used to connect patients to specialists who may not physically have an office in certain communities. OSF Digital Health has proven beneficial as it allows patients to access the right specialist for the care they need without having to leave their local communities. This quick access also helps ensure an accurate and timely diagnosis and the most appropriate and reliable treatment options.
One program OSF HealthCare has deployed across several of its locations is an eICU called OSF ConstantCare. OSF ConstantCare combines expert medical staff, digital technology and compassionate care to help hospitals provide the highest level of quality care to patients in intensive care units.
Vital signs, medications, blood test results, X-rays and other important information are monitored remotely by a specially trained team of critical care doctors and nurses who complement the local care team. Digital health services include neurology, cardiology, pediatrics, and more. Perry Memorial Hospital does not currently have an eICU and adding this capability could result in keeping more patients close to home versus transferring them to another community.
Another tool that OSF has made available across several communities is called SilverCloud, which is a secure, anonymous and interactive platform to help community members manage the feelings and causes of depression, anxiety and stress.
Virtual visits are another option employed by OSF for the benefit of patients during the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In fact, OSF managed more than 50,000 COVID encounters during the first 31 days of the crisis. Some of the digital tools OSF HealthCare has recently implemented include:
• Clare, the virtual assistant chatbot on osfhealthcare.org, which is equipped to begin screenings and educate the public about COVID-19.
• Patients can also call the COVID-19 Nurse Hotline at (833) OSF-KNOW (833-673-5669). It is staffed by OSF nurses around the clock.
• OSF COVID Companion is a free text messaging tool that the public can use to screen and track COVID symptoms. To sign up, text OSF Track to 67634 and follow the prompts.
As health care continues to evolve and strategic partnerships are formed, more resources between organizations can be shared for the benefit of patients and their communities. Smaller facilities will be increasingly able to offer resources typically only found in larger cities. Additional information and due diligence progress will be shared soon.
About Perry Memorial Hospital
Perry Memorial Hospital is a municipally owned, 25-bed critical access facility. With a workforce of more than 370 people, Perry Memorial is one of Bureau County’s largest employers. June 17, 2020, marks the hospital’s centennial celebration representing 100 years of providing health care services.
About OSF HealthCare
OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. OSF HealthCare employs more than 23,600 Mission Partners (employees) in 147 locations, including 14 hospitals — 10 acute care, four critical access — and two colleges of nursing. Its physician network employs more than 1,500 primary care, specialist physicians, and advanced practice providers.