Representatives of Hartford HealthCare, its partners and local government recently celebrated the opening of an OnMED Care Station in the Stop & Shop supermarket at 1094 Killingly Commons Drive, Killingly, bringing an innovative care option to the people of the Quiet Corner.
“We chose Killingly because access to care is the most important thing we can provide,” noted Donna Handley, president of the HHC East Region. “This is an exciting new way to provide access to care, and is just part of Hartford HealthCare’s commitment to the East Region.”
The OnMed Care Station, tucked into space at the front of the supermarket, is the first site developed through a partnership between HHC and OnMed, an innovative care delivery company. Additional locations will be available in other retailers and community facilities across the state later in 2024.
In the station, the OnMed virtual care platform connects users ages 2 and up to licensed clinical professionals for private, one-on-one, virtual healthcare visits in real-time. OnMed services are available seven days a week with extended hours and no appointment is needed.
“The future of healthcare is here. This is a new approach to rural healthcare, bringing care closer to home,” said Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and chief executive officer. “Our partnership with OnMed represents an innovative, unique and proactive approach to addressing consumers’ needs for convenient, affordable care while using the latest technology.”
The medical professionals available through the OnMed Care Station can address 85% of the concerns discussed in a typical primary care visit, including the capture of key vital signs. People commonly use OnMed for:
- Respiratory illness
- Allergies
- Headaches
- Heartburn
- Infections
Patients needing additional care ― things like routine cancer screenings, immunizations or help for more complex injuries and illnesses ― will be given referrals from the OnMed provider. Any necessary prescriptions can be easily filled at the Killingly Stop & Shop in-store pharmacy or through e-prescription at the patient’s preferred pharmacy.
Visiting OnMed
The OnMed Care Station looks like a small doctor’s office, with seating for those waiting to be seen. In a connecting room, patients access the Care Station, pressing “start” on a screen to connect instantly and virtually with a certified nursing assistant or certified medical assistant, who walks them through the intake process. This includes:
- Activating care station privacy features, including fogging and locking the glass door to the room.
- Completing patient consent.
- Collecting patient demographic information and medical history.
- Verifying identification, insurance and/or payment.
- Documenting patient symptoms.
- Collecting vital signs such as weight, temperature, blood pressure and blood oxygen level.
Patients are then connected with an OnMed clinician for the live virtual visit. The Care Station is equipped with several medical-grade diagnostic tools to provide the clinician an accurate, real-time view of all vital signs. The Care Station also features high-definition thermal imaging cameras to help providers better examine the patient’s skin, eyes, ears and throat as needed to diagnose infection and other conditions.
The provider can then offer a diagnosis and treatment plan, including recommended medications and referrals. Encounter notes are stored securely in the patient’s OnMed medical record and My Chart, which can be shared with other necessary care providers.
Once the visit is done, the clinician ends the call and unlocks the door. After the patient leaves, the door is briefly locked again so the station can be cleaned and prepared for the next patient.
The OnMed Care Station is open seven days a week. Hours are Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday, from 1-7 p.m. Visits are conducted in English, although support for additional languages will be available soon.