DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES NEW TELEHEALTH AND RAPID TRIAGE LAUNCH
The MCA Department of Health (DOH) is notifying the community that they will be piloting a new telehealth and rapid triage model within the medical clinics. This service will be available for residents in both Quebec and Ontario every Thursday through the Akwesasne Medical Clinic. Reliable telephone service is required, as well as having current Canadian health insurance. Dr. Curry, who is a recent addition to the Department of Health Medical Team, will oversee the telehealth service.
Community members will be able to access same-day telephone assessments with a physician for acute or urgent concerns. Rapid physician assessments will determine what further care is needed for clients, and reduce wait times for in-person appointments. The only health issues that will be addressed during the rapid triage phone call will be the issues presented at the time of the call for appointment.
The triage system will be based on a scale of urgency. The scale will consist of 6 levels, ranging from phone call follow-up with Dr. Curry, a same-day medical appointment with a physician, to referral to urgent/emergency room visit. The triage system scale is as follows:
0: 15-minute follow up telephone call with Dr. Curry; same day, early afternoon.
1: Referral to urgent care/hospital emergency room
2: Same-day follow up with AMC or KMC physician (wherever the patient usually receives medical care)
3: Same-day follow up with AMC or KMC nurse
4: 1-2 week follow up with AMC/KMC nurse for pre-physician visit evaluation
5: Routine care (appointment in 4-6 weeks with provider)
Patients can expect the telephone call with Dr. Curry to last between 5-7 minutes. Upon wrap-up of the phone call, Dr. Curry will inform you of the triage assessment and any follow-up instructions if necessary.
The telehealth service will be available every Thursday through the Akwesasne Medical Clinic. Calls for appointments can be made starting at 8:00 a.m and will end at 10:00 a.m., or until appointment slots have been filled. You will be provided with a time that Dr. Curry will contact you via telephone call. Call-backs will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. If you miss the initial phone call, Dr. Curry will attempt to call back within a 15 minute time period. Should you miss the second attempt, he will move on to the next appointment.
DOH currently has an anticipated date of August 29, 2024 for the telehealth option to be implemented to community members.
Appointments for telehealth with Dr. Curry can be made every Thursday by calling the Akwesasne Medical Clinic at 613-575-2341 ext. 3215. For any questions or more information regarding the new telehealth service, please call 613-575-2341 ext. 3300.