University Hospital and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School announced on Monday they have launched a virtual urgent care center.
The new center reflects the hospital’s newest expansion of services and both organizations’ commitment to deliver care using modern tools and resources.
“We look forward to serving our community in a new and innovative way that combines medical expertise with state-of-the-art technology,” Jonathan Green, executive director of the University Hospital Emergency Department, said. “Virtual Urgent Care allows our patients to access superior medical care online, from the comfort of their own home.”
“At University Hospital, we are always looking for new ways to keep our community healthy,” Shereef Elnahal, CEO and president of University Hospital, said. “Patients now have a convenient way to get care from an expert physician, without needing to travel.”
Patients aged 5 years old or older can use the center between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. every day to access emergency medicine trained clinicians using any video-enabled communication device, such as a cell phone. The center was designed to treat non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries, including colds, rashes, infections and sprains.
To get started, patients can call (973) 972-5066 to speak to a representative, who will schedule a visit and send a link for the session. During that time, the patient and doctor will speak on a HIPAA secure video platform. Prescriptions can be sent electronically to the patients’ pharmacy, if needed.
“I am excited about this enhanced collaboration between Rutgers NJMS and University Hospital that will expand urgent care service for patients with minor medical illness and injury,” Lewis Nelson, chief of service of the University Hospital Emergency Department, and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Rutgers NJMS, said. “Leveraging our longstanding relationship will enhance access to high quality care for the people of Newark and the surrounding region.”
