Update from Cincy Kids Health Connect
Cincinnati Children’s Urgent Care and Emergency Department volumes are rising significantly and many patients coming to our Emergency Department and Urgent Care are experiencing significant wait times or are leaving without being seen. With return to school, we expect that these visit volumes will continue to rise.
Among the strategies to help mitigate this, Cincinnati Children’s will be launching patient education to provide options, targeting HealthVine patients, who already use our Emergency Department and or Urgent Care.
First and foremost, the communication will reinforce the importance of calling their primary care provider first. Patients will also be reminded about our Virtual Urgent Care - Cincy Kids Health Connect option. This education will include signage and information in the lobby areas of the ED/Urgent Cares, Social Media posts as well as sending a mailing to HealthVine patients who frequently visit the Urgent Care and Emergency Department.
The following is an example of a recent social media post:
“With COVID-19 and RSV cases on the rise we’re seeing very crowded waiting rooms at both our emergency department and urgent care locations. If your child does not need emergency care we recommend scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider or you can visit our 24/7 Virtual Urgent Care by clicking the link below.
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/visit/directions/cincykids-health-connect
Thank you for your partnership in caring for children.