How one man’s Park City vacation was saved VIRTUALLY.
Chris Glenn was carving turns at Park City Mountain when the pain in his eye forced him to a snow plough stop. He could feel it swelling shut, impairing his vision. It was tender to the touch and by the time he got in front of a mirror, it looked like he’d been on the wrong end of a solid left hook.
“It was red, swollen and incredibly painful. I knew I had an infection and expected I’d be cutting my ski trip short,” he said.
Visiting from Austin, Chris didn’t have access to a doctor in Park City. He’d had this type of infection before and knew an emergency room visit was overkill. He also knew Visine wasn’t going to clear it up, and figured it was best to get back to his doctor in Texas. Besides, there was no use continuing his vacation if he couldn’t see well enough to ski.
“I was bummed and planning to change my flight on the chairlift,” he said.
But on the way up the hill, Chris learned about Connect Care®, a virtual way to see a clinician, 24/7. “The person sitting next to me just happened to notice my eye and tell me about the app. So I downloaded it right then and a minute later a doctor was virtually examining my eye. Then he called in a prescription for eye drops to an area pharmacy for me. The whole thing took less time than a chairlift ride, and I was able to continue my vacation as planned.”
Created by Intermountain Healthcare, the Connect Care® app allows patients to virtually see a clinical provider anywhere they have internet access using their smartphone, computer or tablet.
“It’s great to hear Chris was able to get the care he needed in a way that was convenient and effective for him,” says Dr. Marc Harrison, CEO of Intermountain Healthcare. “Giving patients access to care night or day, wherever they are, is exactly why we designed Connect Care and the mobile app. Our emergency rooms are no longer the only option after hours, which saves non-emergent patients like Chris precious dollars and valuable time. It also helps ensure that higher-cost emergency rooms are even better able to serve the people who wouldn’t be safe anywhere else. It’s a great option for people who are traveling.”
Connect Care providers can diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, such as coughs, colds, sinus pain, allergies, painful urination, minor rashes or skin conditions, flu-like illnesses, minor musculoskeletal complaints and gastrointestinal issues. Visits are just $49 and some insurance is accepted, though not required.
As for Chris, he says Connect Care really is a sight for sore eyes. “I travel a lot for work, and it’s so reassuring to know I can access medical care no matter where I am.”
Connect Care is available at intermountainconnectcare.org or by downloading the app for Apple or Android.
