HCA Virginia, iTriage add mobile medical resources

One new feature allows people on their way to emergency rooms to let hospital staff know they’re coming.

October 8, 2013; 6:46 AM • by Nathan Cushing

Virginia healthcare network HCA Virginia has partnered with health and fitness service iTriage to offer additional resources through the iTriage website and app.

For instance, the iNotify feature allows those within HCA Virginia’s network who are traveling to emergency departments to alert medical staff via smartphones or tablets that they are en route.

iTriage also allows users to search symptoms, research conditions and medications, find the closest doctors and medical facilities, and more.

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The release:

HCA Virginia has partnered with iTriage – one of the top health and fitness resources on the market, to offer consumers a new mobile and online technology that gives them answers to common medical questions so they can take charge of their health and make better healthcare decisions.

Developed by doctors, iTriage combines health information with GPS and mapping to help consumers find care whether at home or on the road. From seasonal colds and mild injuries to more serious symptoms and conditions, iTriage helps consumers search symptoms and find appropriate care; research conditions, procedures and medications; find the closest doctors and medical facilities, complete with directions; and store important medical information in My iTriage.

“We believe that providing our patients with the most valuable resources and technology can help them make the most informed and responsible decisions about their health needs,” said Mark Foust, vice president of communications, HCA Virginia and HCA Capital Division. “Our partnership with iTriage allows us to connect with the central Virginia community when they need reliable healthcare information quickly.”

Another feature of iTriage is the emergency department check-in system called “iNotify.” Patients on their way to the emergency department can alert staff prior to their arrival directly from their smartphone or Internet device. iNotify is available through the free mobile healthcare app iTriage, and lets patients enter symptoms experienced, medication allergies and other information staff may need to know to begin preparing for their arrival.

To use iNotify at HCA Virginia facilities through iTriage:

Choose “Facilities”

Select “Emergency Departments”

Choose the nearest HCA Virginia facility based on your current location

Click the “Check-In with iNotify” to fill out the form and submit

In addition, doctors’ offices also can use this tool to refer patients to the emergency department. An “additional information” field also allows clinicians to convey vital levels, share past medical history, plan for course of care and provide contact information to the ED staff.

Patients experiencing a medical emergency should contact 911 or seek medical attention immediately. All patients are seen in order of severity, regardless of whether or not they used iNotify.

iTriage is accessible online at www.iTriageHealth.com or as a free download for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.