Change To Highland Medical Center’s After-Hours Service
Highland Medical Center is making a change to its after hours service, and I spoke with Chief Executive Officer Tish Amirault and Chief Operations Officer Casey Hull to learn more.
Ms. Amirault:
“Highland Medical Center is excited to announce that beginning May 4th, 2021, instead of calling the after-hours number and leaving a message, you will be able to call the main number, 540-468-6400, and be connected with a live operator, to answer your questions.”
“HMC has contracted with a third party after-hours call company to provide triage services for our patients. If your question is not urgent, the operator may take a message and send it to your provider to address the next day. If there are medical questions you may be transferred to a nationally certified triage nurse, who is utilizing protocols developed in conjunction with Highland Medical Center, or the triage nurse may elect to call your provider, and you will receive a call from the provider on call.”
Ms. Hull cautioned against callers hanging up if not greeted by a live person immediately.
“When patients make this phone call, they can expect a brief hold before speaking with an operator.”
She also clarified who can utilize the after-hours number.
“This service is designed for patients of Highland Medical Center. If you are not a patient of Highland Medical Center, and you call this number, you will be advised to call your primary care provider.”
Ms. Amirault also noted:
“This after-hours service is not for prescription refills. If you need a prescription refill after hours, please call 540-468-6421, and leave your refill prescription number.”
Stay tuned for an interview with HMC’s new Chief Medical Officer, Jennifer Beverage.