LARWILL – Students and staff at Whitko Community Schools can now receive care from a Parkview Health provider without leaving school grounds.
The school district has opened four virtual care clinics, which utilize innovative remote exam technology to connect patients with a Parkview provider, according to a news release from Parkview Health. At these locations, students and school employees can be seen for non-emergent conditions, reducing time away from class or work and making it more convenient to access high-quality care.
Parkview Health partners with other area schools and employers to offer virtual care clinics, but Whitko Community Schools is the first location to offer this service to both students and employees.
“This partnership brings the services of a walk-in clinic and primary care office directly into our schools,” said Tim Pivarnik, superintendent, Whitko Community Schools District. “This innovative approach to healthcare gives instant clinical feedback, allowing parents and staff to make informed health decisions and access care when and where they need it. We are excited to offer this convenient option for our students and staff.”
Parkview’s school and employer virtual care clinics offer expanded virtual visits, which are more in-depth than the typical video visits that most patients experience. Each of the locations has a virtual exam kit, which includes diagnostic devices for patients to share data such as heart rate, body temperature, heart and lung sounds, as well as images and video of the ears, throat and skin. This gives the provider real-time diagnostic information to create a treatment plan.
For students, a school nurse will complete an evaluation to determine if a virtual visit is needed, and parents are contacted for consent and to verify insurance information. Common conditions treated through the virtual care clinics include cough, flu, allergies, pink eye, skin conditions and more.
School employees may also use the virtual care clinic for same-day treatment of minor illnesses. Additionally, employees can schedule appointments with a dedicated provider for annual wellness physicals, specialty care referrals, test result follow-up and other primary care services.
All virtual care clinic visits are billed to insurance at the same rate as a normal office visit.
“Virtual care clinics are helping students and staff reduce the disruptions they would normally experience when needing to see a provider for care,” said Maximilian Maile, senior vice president, Digital Health, Parkview Health. “By seeing a provider onsite, we’re able to minimize time away from school or work and eliminate potential transportation barriers. This allows us to serve patients who otherwise may not seek care for illnesses or ongoing wellness needs.”
