Banner Health to launch virtual waiting room for appointments
May 17, 2020, 4:25 AM | Updated: 12:59 pm
(Photo courtesy of Banner Health)
PHOENIX – Banner Health will launch virtual waiting rooms to assist with the shift in health care amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The organization will implement LifeLink mobile chatbots which will interact with patients ahead of their visit to help with intake forms, provide education and enable remote check-in capabilities for all telehealth and in-person office visits.
“The health care industry must rapidly innovate to ensure all patients can see their doctors again through safe, private and convenient channels,” Jeff Johnson, Banner vice president of digital business, said in a press release Friday.
The chatbots interact with patients on their mobile devices or computer by using automated conversational messaging to help with tasks that were previously handled in person.
The virtual waiting room will be launched across the network’s 300 clinics in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming.
“Interactions that use natural language eliminate the need for user training and there are no apps or passwords required so it’s simple for patients to interact with us securely, on any device,” Johnson said.
Banner previously implemented a program that resulted in a 70% reduction in appointment cancellations for seniors coming in for Medicare annual wellness visit appointments.