Telehealth provider American Well today announced it has joined the Epic App Orchard marketplace. As part of the joining the Epic App Orchard marketplace, American Well’s Telehealth Clinical app now makes video visits available from directly within Epic MyChart, enabling health systems’ providers to incorporate video as part of care delivery.
Importance of Telehealth Integration with EHRs and Patient Portals
Telehealth integration within the EHR and patient portals is more critical than ever, as consumers’ expectation for virtual care continues to grow. According to American Well’s 2019 Consumer Survey, consumers are more willing to switch to a primary care provider that is offering video visits, especially among patients in the age range of 45-64. The integration of telehealth as part of the EHR and patient portal workflow empowers providers to easily incorporate video as part of care delivery, extending their reach, while also making it easy for patients to access care.
Integration Benefits for Patients and Providers
With the Epic EHR integration, patients can now schedule virtual appointments in MyChart, request virtual visits, and easily access video visits with providers. For providers, the integration allows them to see when a patient has arrived in the virtual waiting room, start video calls directly from the patient chart in Hyperspace, and schedule/accept virtual visits directly in the patient chart.
On The Record
“At American Well, our purpose is to equip clinicians and patients with tools to realize a better healthcare experience. The integration we’ve done delivers on this promise and more importantly, represents the first of many important workflow contributions we’ll introduce to help health systems not only launch, but strategically scale their telehealth programs,” said Mike Baird, president of customer solutions at American Well. “As hospitals are increasingly realizing the fundamental value of making digital care delivery core to their care and patient engagement strategies, it’s critical that the associated workflows are intuitive, seamless and fully-connected. We’re thrilled to support hospitals across the country as they build out their virtual care journey.”
