In the year since its launch, more than 27,000 patients have used ScheduleNow, Memorial Hermann's free scheduling tool that enables patients to easily search and book real-time appointments online. This month, the service expanded to include online scheduling for non-life threatening appointments in the Emergency Room (ER) and Senior ER at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.
"When scheduling an ER appointment, it is important to note that if you have symptoms of heart attack or stroke, or feel that your 'life or limb' is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest ER immediately," said Gina Vargas, director of emergency services at Memorial Hermann Southwest. "ScheduleNow should only be used for those who have a non-life-threatening situation that requires urgent attention. Additionally, if patients with more urgent medical conditions are present in the ER at your designated arrival time, those patients must be seen first."
Here's how ScheduleNow for the ER works: Patients simply go to www.memorialhermann.org, click on the ScheduleNow icon, and choose Emergency Care service followed by their ZIP code. Patients then follow the prompts to schedule their ER appointment. ScheduleNow provides appointment reminders via email, as well as a link to a map for directions. Appointments can be made 24/7 from any internet-connected device.
"We were among the first healthcare systems in the nation and the first in Houston to offer appointment scheduling for an array of outpatient services through our Web site," said David Bradshaw, Chief Information, Planning and Marketing Officer at Memorial Hermann Health System. "We've reduced the hassle factor for patients, making scheduling an appointment much more convenient. From doctor office visits to mammograms and emergency room reservations, patients can book their appointments at the click of a mouse."
In addition to online scheduling for ER appointments at Memorial Hermann Southwest, patients also can go online to schedule other services at the hospital, including doctor appointments, mammograms and more.
ScheduleNow is powered by HealthPost, a provider of cloud-based healthcare search and booking solutions. "Leveraging HealthPost's capabilities, Memorial Hermann has reinvented access to care across a broad range of healthcare services," said Omar Alvi, CEO of HealthPost. "Working together, we're bringing unprecedented convenience to patients."